Marketplace Round-Up

Total U.S. ad spending through the first three quarters of ’04 was $102.5B, up 10.3% from $92.9B for the year-ago period. Revenue from the Athens Games “came in ahead of some expectations” at $1.55B, exceeding the ‘00 Games’ take by $255M (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 11/30). Q3 ad spending rose 12.4% from last year. Olympic advertising helped spending on network TV rise 14% to $16.4B (USA TODAY, 11/30).

SUNS: The Suns have entered into a partnership with Continental Promotion Group (CPG), under which the company and select CPG clients will act as game night sponsors for seven Suns games this season. The game night sponsors will receive exposure through telecasts, PA announcements and signage at America West Arena. Fans will receive a special offer from the night’s sponsor in the program. Suns investor Sam Garvin owns CPG (Suns).

EVERYONE OUT OF THE POOL: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Steve Woodward reports the renewal period for GM’s Chevrolet to extend its sponsorship of USA Swimming has passed. USA Swimming CMO Rod Davis: “We don’t have a sense they want to renew.” Sources said that speculation on interest in the deal “is focusing on Toyota.” GM recently renewed its USOC deal through ’08 (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/29 issue).