Vegas Ratcheting Up Marketing Plans Around NBA All-Star Game

The NBA’s 21 official sponsors -– including Coca-Cola, Nike, Toyota, McDonald’s and Southwest Airlines — will gather at the Las Vegas Convention Center next month “to discuss ways to link their products with February’s NBA All-Star events,” according to Chris Jones of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. NBA Exec VP/Events & Attractions Ski Austin: “Las Vegas is interesting to a lot of our guests, a lot of our business partners, and I would expect that we’re going to have some kind of unprecedented response from people who want to come and see it, be a part of it or take advantage of it.” Jones noted Tuesday’s unveiling of an $84,000 NBA-themed Las Vegas Monorail wrap followed April’s unveiling of the ‘07 All-Star logo at Fashion Show mall. Also, the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is “developing ticket giveaways and promotions to draw attention to booths it will place at upcoming trade shows.” The NBA and LVCVA are also discussing “All-Star countdown clocks, which should debut in mid-November in Las Vegas and on [N.Y.’s] Fifth Avenue.” Additionally, talks are taking place for “sponsorship deals that could be completed prior to September’s end, while Las Vegas-themed radio, TV and print ads could tie into” the start of the NBA season. LVCVA President Rossi Ralenkotter: “Once that season kicks in, that’s when the intensity of the promotions, campaigns and strategies will come into place.” Jones noted this fall, the LVCVA will co-sponsor the NBA Europe Live tour presented by EA Sports. In early October, ads for Las Vegas will “shadow four NBA teams as they conduct weeklong training camps in Barcelona, Spain; Treviso, Italy; Lyon, France and Moscow” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/2).

Burger King To Hold Kings Of The Court Finals In Conjunction With NBA All-Star Game

ARIAL AD: In Las Vegas, Norm Clarke reports at noon yesterday, people on the Strip saw a “free plug for Las Vegas courtesy of Skytypers with the words ‘NBA All-Star Game 02-07.’” Skytypers Dir of Marketing & PR Rafael Cabrera said the company is in town to promote a poker Web site during the World Series of Poker (REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/3).

HAVE IT YOUR WAY: Burger King will begin its 3-on-3 Kings of the Court basketball tournament at Riverbank State Park in N.Y. on August 12, before visiting 14 other cities. The final will be held in Las Vegas on February 17, coinciding with NBA All-Star Weekend. The winning team from each city will earn a trip to the championship and a prize package from Nike’s Jordan Brand. The winner will receive up to $20,000 in cash and prizes. Each tour stop will feature the 2K Sports Video Game Challenge. McDonald’s is the NBA’s official QSR (THE DAILY).