NFL Names & Faces: Vick Might Not Be Toxic For All Companies

Ad Exec Says Right Brand Could Still Gain Incredible Visibility With Vick Partnership

Philadelphia-based advertising and PR firm Brownstein Group President & CEO Marc Brownstein in a special to AD AGE wrote while the initial reaction to Eagles QB Michael Vick is that "no company should go near him," the "right brand can still gain incredible visibility -- controversy and all." A company like Nike or Gatorade, or a "brand that has gone through tough times itself, and is on the mend," could be a fit. The message would "have to be painfully honest" with "no hype." Brownstein added, "I would not advise my clients to stay away from sponsoring the team. ... The team strengthened its brand by handling this hand grenade perfectly" (ADAGE.com, 8/17). Meanwhile, CNBC's Darren Rovell reports Dick's Sporting Goods "has decided not to sell jerseys bearing Vick's name." Dick's Exec VP & CMO Jeff Hennion said, "Right now, we're not sure how much demand there really is. If there's demand for it, we'll sell it" (CNBC.com, 8/19).

GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE: NFL Panthers QB Jake Delhomme has signed a deal to endorse the Charlotte Metro Federal Credit Union (CMFCU) and will appear in three new commercials. Delhomme's agent Dave Riggs did not reveal terms of the sponsorship, but said that his client "carefully considers all his commercial endeavors." CMFCU Dir of Marketing Nathan Thothrow said of Delhomme, “He's about as unpretentious as you can get in a sports figure." Delhomme also works with Nike and Charlotte-based QSR Bojangles (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/18).

COMFORT CLOTHES: Patriots coach Bill Belichick appeared on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" today and discussed why he wears a sweatshirt on the sidelines. Belichick: “It’s really more a question of being comfortable. ... I just try to grab something that I’m comfortable in and can stay warm in some of these days we have up in Foxboro. It’s certainly not a big part of my decision-making, or a big fashion strategy to it or anything” (“Mike & Mike” ESPN2, 8/19).