Marketplace Round-Up

The WALL STREET JOURNAL’s Brian Steinberg cites sources as saying that Bank of America, which has had its marketing and ad account with Interpublic Group (IPG) for nearly three years, is “considering moving its account.” BofA has worked with IPG’s Octagon on sports marketing efforts, but is “now looking at services offered by rivals Omnicom Group and WPP Group” (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/1).

FORE ON THE FLOOR: Promotions Sports VP Raquel Giscafre said that the company, which runs the WTA Tour Acura Classic in San Diego, has “been holding discussions for two years with officials of the LPGA concerning presenting a women’s golf tournament in the San Diego area.” Giscafre: “Women’s golf is hot. There are a lot of interesting personalities in it” (Jerry Magee, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 7/30).

Urlacher’s Off-Field Problems To Sack Endorsement Deals?

BRIAN’S SONG: In Chicago, Susan Chandler cites sports marketers as saying that the reputation of Bears LB Brian Urlacher, who last week was revealed to be involved in a paternity suit and have fathered two children out of wedlock, “has a few dings in it,” which could “cut into his sizable income as a product spokesman.” But Team Marketing Report Exec Editor Becky Wallace said, “This is something that will blow over in a couple of days. That’s where our society is today. Fans expect athletes to have affairs with models and strippers” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/31).

TAKING MADISON AVENUE? In N.Y., Eric Moskowitz writes while new Knicks coach Larry Brown’s N.Y. ties “may make him attractive to advertisers,” he might be “reluctant to become a pitchman.” Sportscorp President Marc Ganis: “I see him signing with an American Express, a Merrill Lynch or a major life insurance company. It’s going to be a very select group” (N.Y. POST, 8/1).

CLEARING THE AIR: L.A. Times columnist Bill Plaschke, on Lakers G Kobe Bryant’s new Nike logo: “Nike is being smart ... and they’re trying to recoup some of their investment.” But WEEI-AM’s Michael Holley said Bryant “was popular before because he didn’t have any legal problems and he was a champion. He’s not going to be a champion again” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 7/29). ESPN’s Michael Wilbon: “You cannot just throw Kobe back out there in the consciousness in front of people and not have some backlash. I think (Nike) will do this piecemeal” (“PTI,” ESPN, 7/29).