Marketplace Round-Up

USA TODAY’s Sal Ruibal reports the Al-Jazeera Sports Channel, a branch of the “controversial Middle Eastern news service,” is sponsoring a cycling team in next week’s Tour of Qatar. The Tour of Qatar is produced by the Amaury Sports Organization, which also organizes the Tour de France and several other events (USA TODAY, 1/20).

Cleveland Golf Launching New “Trajectile Dysfunction” Campaign

FUNCTIONAL: BRANDWEEK’s Chuck Stogel reports Cleveland Golf this month is breaking a new $1M-plus ad campaign titled “Trajectile dysfunction.” TV ads will air on The Golf Channel and during NBC golf telecasts in March and April, while print ads are running in Golf Digest, Golf, Golf Tips and Golf World. In a 30-second spot, a man is seen in his yard “dribbling his drives, then later –- with Cleveland’s new Launcher 460 Comp driver –- blasting shots accurately through a hanging tire.” The voiceover says, “In rare cases, players have been known to stay long for more than four hours” (BRANDWEEK, 1/17 issue).

OHNO? OH-YES: Qwest Communications has inked a deal to become a gold-level sponsor of the U.S. Speedskating team through the ’06 Turin Games. Qwest will provide athletes with wireless, broadband and other technologies to ensure connectivity with coaches, family, teammates, friends and fans (Qwest Communications).