From The Trades: Sports Authority Teams Back Up With Deutsch

AD WEEK's Andrew McMains reports Interpublic Group ad agency Deutsch has "taken back media planning and buying duties" for Colorado-based The Sports Authority. Deutsch also, via its partnership with MWW Group, will "handle public relations tasks related to new store openings next year." TNS Media Intelligence indicated that The Sports Authority, which operates more than 450 stores in 45 states, spent nearly $50M last year in "major measured media" (AD WEEK, 12/1 issue).

Andrew Flintoff Signs Deal With Puma

ULTIMATE WARRIORS: AD AGE's McMains also reports Warrior Sports has awarded its ad business to Team Detroit. Warrior, which began in '93 as a lacrosse gear manufacturer, has "since branched out into other sports and was acquired by New Balance" in '04. Team Detroit, a collection of six WPP Group shops in Michigan, will "handle creative and media duties on Warrior, which plans to increase its marketing spend." Billings were not disclosed, but sources estimated them to be as much as $20M (AD WEEK, 12/1 issue).

LET'S MAKE A DEAL: HISPANIC MARKET WEEKLY notes Mexican Primera División team Club America and Mexican national soccer team GK Guillermo Ochoa is Coca-Cola's "newest Hispanic spokesman," and his "first stateside assignment" is part of a campaign for Powerade. The campaign launched November 15, "just days after Coca-Cola announced that its relationship with Ochoa would extend from Mexico into the U.S." Coca-Cola is an official sponsor of the Mexican national soccer team (HISPANIC MARKET WEEKLY, 12/1 issue)....MARKETING WEEK's Louise Jack reported Puma has signed a deal with England national cricket team player Andrew Flintoff. The four-year deal will see Flintoff "play in Puma footwear, use Puma cricket equipment and wear Puma lifestyle ranges off the pitch" (MARKETINGWEEK.co.uk, 12/1).