Marketplace Round-Up

Gulbis' Appeal Helping Land Endorsement Deals

In Orlando, Jeremy Fowler notes LPGA golfer Natalie Gulbis, with endorsements from TaylorMade Golf, adidas, Canon, Amstel Light, Payment Data Systems, MasterCard, Winn grips and Lake Las Vegas Resort, is “both a nonchalant and no-nonsense star. She strategically mapped her marketing capabilities from the day she turned pro in 2002 by not throwing her clubs in a tantrum every time critics don’t describe her as ‘just a golfer.’” Gulbis said, “I really don’t take myself too seriously” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/3).

STAYING AT THE PLAZA: GE has signed a three-year, C$1.6M deal to restore the ice rink at Robson Square in Vancouver "in time for the 2010 Olympics." B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said that the GE Plaza will be a "central location for public celebration" during the Games. GE also sponsored an ice rink at the sponsor village during the '06 Turin Games (VANCOUVER SUN, 10/2). GE President of Olympic Sponsorship Peter Foss said, “What we wanted to do here was a bit more of a lasting legacy.” B.C. officials plan to open a hosting and showcase center next to GE Plaza ahead of February’s two-year countdown to the games (AROUNDTHERINGS.com, 10/3).

SPANISH CARAVAN: Real Madrid, the top revenue-generating club in soccer, has sold US$5.6M worth of private jet flights to its games to companies seeking to “impress customers.” The club has sold 61 of 69 tickets at US$92,000 each in a joint venture with Viajes Iberia travel agency. The price includes game tickets and accommodations in the team hotel (BLOOMBERG.com, 10/2).

MAN ADVANTAGE: Advantage Health Solutions has entered into a deal with the Colts to be a founding partner of Lucas Oil Stadium. The deal, effective in March, includes naming rights for club seats and radio, TV and print ads (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/3).