Marketplace Roundup

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In L.A., Mike Penner notes Nike during the Magic-Lakers NBA Finals "continues to run ads" with Cavaliers F LeBron James and Lakers G Kobe Bryant puppets, "playing on the theme that Kobe made the Finals and LeBron has to stay home baby-sitting the little kid next door." In fact, the new ads have "proliferated like rabbits, becoming YouTube staples" and appearing on ESPN's "SportsCenter." Nike Media Relations Manager KeJuan Wilkins said, "It really wasn't about pitting Kobe versus LeBron in the Finals for us." Wilkins said that Nike has "heard that while the LeBron puppet bears a passable resemblance to the real James, the Kobe puppet, sporting a goatee, does not look like the real Bryant" (L.A. TIMES, 6/12).

A VOLUNTEER EFFORT: The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association (ICVA) said that Colts QB Peyton Manning in new promotional Web ads will "rave about the city's 'world class attractions,' Lucas Oil Stadium" and the Indiana Convention Center. In addition, Manning will appear in "e-mail and direct mail campaigns, as well as ads in convention trade publications." ICVA Senior VP/Marketing Warren Wilkinson said that Manning is "donating his time and won't be compensated" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 6/11).

THE NAME GAME: In Montreal, Dave Stubbs reported Jay Robinson Racing (JRR) this month launched an online promotion, offering fans the chance to pay $20 for name placement on JRR's No. 28 Nationwide Series Chevy driven by Kenny Wallace at the August 30 NAPA Auto Parts 200 presented by Dodge. JRR hopes to raise $100,000 through the offer, "roughly 5,000 names with a few corporate sponsors along for the ride." The promotion is "all a program of necessity," as the No. 28 entry normally is sponsored by U.S. Border Patrol, "whose paint scheme is not used beyond U.S. borders" (Montreal GAZETTE, 6/11).

NFL ROUNDUP: The Texans have declined a practice jersey sponsorship offer from adult video maker Zero Tolerance Entertainment. Texans VP/Communications Tony Wyllie: "We will not consider, nor will we ever consider their offer. We will not be associated with them" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/12)....The Pennsylvania State Lottery is continuing negotiations with the Steelers and Eagles over an instant scratch-off game, and the state "hopes to have a game similar to the one it debuted in 2008" for the Pirates and Phillies (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 6/12).