Names & Faces

Maria Sharapova will shoot her third TV spot for Canon in April to promote “new additions to the PowerShot line of digital cameras.” The spot, via Dentsu America, N.Y., will be supported by print and Internet and will retain the tag: “Make every shot a Power-Shot.” The products will be unveiled this week during the Pacific Life Open in Palm Springs, California. Canon spent $32M on PowerShot ads last year, down $6M from ’05 (BRANDWEEK, 3/5 issue).

Parker Fronts Cover Of EA’s “NBA Live 07” In France

INTERNATIONAL INTRIGUE: In a look at the marketability of int’l NBA players, the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS’ Travis Poling noted Spurs G Tony Parker, has “several major endorsement deals in France” and “makes frequent appearances on behalf” of companies like Nike and EA, whose French version of “NBA Live 07” features Parker on the cover. Parker also endorses French companies like sunglass maker Bolle and Bouygues Telecom. Meanwhile, players from Russia and other former Soviet Union nations are “still not getting attention from companies back home.” Marc Fleisher, who, in addition to Parker, represents Jazz F Andrei Kirilenko, who is from Russia, said the country is “considerably behind in sports marketing. That market has been a little more difficult to break into” (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/4).

NEW FATHEADS: Fathead’s launch of NHL products includes both players and team logo wall graphics. Player images include Penguins Cs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin, Rangers RW Jaromir Jagr, Avalanche C Joe Sakic, Ducks D Chris Pronger, Flames RW Jarome Iginla, Devils G Martin Brodeur, Maple Leafs C Mats Sundin and Red Wings D Nicklas Lidstrom. Team logos available include those of the Bruins, Blackhawks, Red Wings, Rangers, Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Flyers, Avalanche, Flames and Penguins (Fathead).