Marketplace Round-Up

In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay reported the NHL Panthers have hired SME “to develop a brand strategy that encompasses the team and its mission as a source of entertainment.” The company has been talking to season-ticket holders, casual fans, players and former Panthers President & GM Bill Torrey “to learn what the team means to the community.” SME created the team’s logo in ’93, developed the NHL’s post-lockout theme and logo and has “worked with dozens" of NHL teams  (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 6/1).

WINE COUNTRY: In this week’s SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, Terry Lefton reports the WNBA has signed Meridian Wine as a new sponsor, and charter league sponsor Anheuser-Busch “is out after 10 seasons.” A-B VP/Global Media & Sports Marketing Tony Ponturo said of the WNBA, “The national (television) ratings are tough and the markets without teams had very little interest.” He added, “The only properties where that is not true are NASCAR ... and the NFL” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/4 issue).

NOT SO FAST: After Jones Soda Founder & CEO Peter van Stolk indicated the Bengals had contacted the company about its beverage rights, Bengals Dir of PR Jack Brennan said, “There is nothing on the table with them and us.” Brennan: “I talked to our marketing director, and he said he didn’t have anything going at present with Jones Soda” (SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER, 6/4).