Marketplace Roundup

Ambrose's Personality Has Helped Attract Sponsors

In Daytona Beach, Godwin Kelly wrote NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose's "easy manner and Crocodile Dundee charm and recent racing success" is gaining the driver "more exposure and appeal among stock-car fans while attracting sponsorship." Ambrose's success "translates into marketing dollars, so it came as no surprise when Kimberly-Clark inked a deal to be one of his primary sponsors" for the '10 season (NEWS-JOURNALONLINE.com, 8/24). Meanwhile, Roush Fenway Racing announced that it has signed Fastenal to a multi-year deal to sponsor the NASCAR Nationwide Series No. 60 Ford driven by Carl Edwards for 15 races in '10 (Roush Fenway Racing).

SAVE THE DATE? Wyndham Chair Steve Holmes has "declined to discuss Wyndham's interest beyond 2010" in serving as title sponsor of the PGA Tour's Greensboro event. However, sources said that some of Wyndham's "top leaders are interested in a four-year deal" if PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem can "guarantee a desirable date." Any changes to the schedule "will not take place until the tour's current television agreement is renewed in 2013" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 8/25).

SERVE & VOLLEY: L.A.-based ad agency BPG yesterday unveiled Tennis Channel's new promotional campaign for its '09 U.S. Open broadcast coverage, which begins Monday. The spot, entitled "Air," features several tennis players, including Roger Federer and Int'l Tennis HOFer Billie Jean King. "Air" is currently running on Tennis Channel and will air on cable partners beginning Sunday through the tournament's conclusion on September 13 (Tennis Channel).