Marketplace Roundup

Ponturo Reportedly Accepts Retention Bonus To Stay With A-B

AD AGE's Jeremy Mullman reports Anheuser-Busch's top marketing execs "are sticking around under the new [InBev] regime," as they have been given assurances and "generous retention bonuses" by InBev. Among those who have "accepted the bonuses" are VP/Marketing Dave Peacock, Exec VP/Global Industry Development and Chief Creative Officer Robert Lachky, VP/Global Media & Sports Marketing Tony Ponturo and VP/Brand Management Keith Levy. A-B is "widely anticipated to curtail some of its legendary free-spending ways, such as commissioning a large number of high-budget Super Bowl spots -- some of which never make the game" (AD AGE, 7/21 issue).

BRAND BUILDING: In Chicago, Mary Ellen Podmolik reports the Blackhawks have named Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago, as its new ad agency to "help build the hockey brand in Chicago." O&M won the account over nine other finalists. Specifics of the new campaign are not being released, but the Blackhawks told the agency that the "overarching theme of the campaign should be the same as the team right now: 'One goal'" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/22).

STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT: Golfer Michelle Wie yesterday indicated that she will play in the PGA Tour Legends Reno-Tahoe Open July 31-August 3, and in Philadelphia, Joe Logan writes this is a "blatant marketing ploy by the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open to steal just a little of the limelight from the WGC-Bridgestone." Logan: "Do you think the tournament director's real interest is in young Miss Wie's well-being and her budding comeback, or in selling tickets and getting his tournament on SportsCenter, Golf Channel and the 11 o'clock news?" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/22).

STAYING NEUTRAL: Univ. of Kansas Associate AD Jim Marchiony said a line "needed to be drawn before it appeared that the university was endorsing a certain presidential candidate" after the school's Young Democrats club produced shirts stating "Barack Chalk Jayhawk." KU allowed the club to print 100 shirts that played off its famed "Rock Chalk Jayhawk" chant "as long as only members of the group received the shirts." Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, an Obama supporter, yesterday was seen holding a T-shirt (AP, 7/21).