Names & Faces: Iconix Counting On Tony Romo To Lift Starter

Iconix Using Romo In Its Advertising, Hoping He Can Bring Starter Back To Its Heyday

CNBC.com's Darren Rovell noted Iconix Brand Group is hoping Cowboys QB Tony Romo can help bring its Starter brand, which relaunched in January, "back to its heyday." Under an endorsement deal with Romo, Iconix is not allowed to "use any Cowboys logos," but the company is "selling plenty of blue and white and is using Romo in its advertising and on point of purchase materials to get attention." Starter also has "made on-field shoes for Romo, even though he's not allowed to show the Starter star logo." Rovell noted one reason a "generic Romo can still work well is because Starter has a direct-to-retail license agreement" with Wal-Mart, so Romo "stands out in the stores even if he's called 'Dallas QB.'" Romo said that the "value price point appeals to him" (CNBC.com, 6/9).

CHIPS & PUTTS: Nike Golf has signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with golfer Amanda Blumenherst, who is set to make her pro debut this week at the Michelob Ultra Duramed Futures Players Championship. Blumenherst will represent Nike Golf with clubs, apparel, balls, glove, bag, headwear and accessories (Nike Golf)....Golfer Angela Stanford has signed a one-year endorsement deal with Human Performance Labs to promote the company's PureSport sports drink. Stanford will join other PureSport endorsers, including Gold Medalists Michael Phelps and Nastia Liukin, in the brand's global marketing campaign (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 6/10).

Ortiz Launches Line Of Hot Sauce

SPICE UP YOUR LIFE: In Boston, Alyssa Giacobbe reports Red Sox DH David Ortiz has launched a new line of "Louisiana-style hot sauce" called Big Papi En Fuego, which is now available in select grocery stores. Ortiz worked with N.Y.-based brand developers Off Beat LLC to create the line, made for "chili connoisseurs." The sauces will benefit the David Ortiz Children's Fund (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/10).

COMING SOON: Fox NFL studio analyst Barry Switzer plays an "over-the-top coach" in four commercials as part of a cross-promotional ad campaign between Spike TV and Dunkin' Donuts (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 6/9).