Marketplace Roundup

MagicJack spokesperson Mel Arthur indicated that the company, which title sponsored the inaugural St. Petersburg Bowl last season, "intends to renew its sponsorship for this upcoming season and potentially beyond." Arthur: "We're looking at a multiyear deal. We think it was a great experience to be involved in, a win-win for everybody. We couldn't be happier. We got tremendous publicity from it and good national exposure" (TAMPABAY.com, 2/11)....In California, John Canalis reported Mexican brewer Tecate, which has sponsored the IRL Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach for eight years, has "opted to trumpet its Tecate Light brand" at the event this year in an effort to "attract younger drinkers." Tecate Light "does well with the grown children of immigrants, as well as American-born beer drinkers who are not of Hispanic descent." More of the "race-related advertising will appear in English this spring" (Long Beach PRESS-TELEGRAM, 2/9)....EPL club Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley, who also owns Sports Direct, has "made a preliminary takeover approach for Blacks Leisure, a smaller rival" of Sports Direct. Ashley "will face competition from Lion Capital, the private equity group, for the outdoor clothing and equipment chain" (LONDON TIMES, 2/11).