Marketplace Roundup

Vonn Doing Photo Shoots, Commercials In Preparation For Vancouver Games

In L.A., Chris Dufresne notes U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn has "done photo shoots and shot commercials and spent considerable time at NBC in Los Angeles as the network readies her to become to Vancouver what Phelps was to Beijing." She also "has been in New York for television appearances" (L.A. TIMES, 10/23). In Minneapolis, Rachel Blount writes, "Already a star in Europe, look for Vonn to increase her stateside profile this year in advertisements for everything from shampoo to cold medicine to energy drinks." But Vonn "remains a competitor first and foremost." Vonn: "I've worked my hardest this offseason, so I can give it my best shot" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/23).

CHICAGO'S FINEST: In Chicago, John Jackson notes Bulls G Derrick Rose and model Marisa Miller Thursday in Chicago "took to the Berto Center court to promote an online poll being conducted on the Web site for the new Victoria's Secret store on Michigan Avenue." As part of the "What's Sexy Now Chicago?" campaign, the public is "being asked to weigh in on a number of local categories, including sexiest athlete." Rose is "battling" Bears LB Brian Urlacher and Blackhawks RW Patrick Kane for the title (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/23).

KINGS' COURT: In Sacramento, Kelly Johnson reported the NBA Kings "have added new corporate sponsors" for the '09-10 season, including Baskin-Robbins and Jamba Juice, which marks the companies' "first sports marketing partnerships." Other new Kings sponsors include: Apollo Jets, Bella Bru Cafes, California Family Fitness, wireless Internet service provider Clear, Foot Locker, GSL Fine Lithographers, Hubacher Cadillac, the law firm of Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard, MillerCoors, Palms Casino Resort, Spalding and the state Office of Traffic Safety (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/22).

TAKE A DEEP BREATH: In Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah Talalay noted GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is "planning to distribute 400,000" of its new Breathe Right Extra Nasal Strips in the next month at five NFL games. The new strips are 50% "stronger than the original version." GSK will "give away 75,000" strips to fans attending Sunday's Saints-Dolphins game and 80,000 at Sunday's Cardinals-Giants game (SUN-SENTINEL.com, 10/22).