Marketplace Roundup

Miller's Performance At Vancouver Games Has Not Translated Into Endorsement Deals Yet

Bloomberg TV's Michelle Steele noted Sabres G Ryan Miller winning the Silver Medal for Team USA in the Vancouver Olympics has "not yet translated into more endorsement deals, surprisingly enough." Miller said, "There's been more interest in the media. With sponsorships and endorsements, I really haven't sat down and talked to my agent or anything. It's not something that I'm really clamoring for or need" (Bloomberg TV, 3/9). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Matthew Futterman writes while Miller is "one of the best hockey players America has ever produced," great goalies have "rarely been placed in the same stratosphere of publicity and celebrity as highflying goal scorers." Only seven of the top 50 jerseys sold on NHLShop.com "belong to goaltenders." Former NHLer Mike Richter "says the goalie mask isn't exactly a ticket to fame and fortune." Richter: "If your goal is to sell Chiclets or make hamburger commercials then it's going to be a problem" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/9).

SEARCH PARTY: Reebok Canada VP & GM Len Rhodes said that the tipline set up to help find Penguins C Sidney Crosby's missing stick and glove from his game-winning goal in the men's hockey Gold Medal game is "producing everything from encouraging comments to claims of 'potential information.'" Hockey Canada has said that "all of the equipment from the game was collected and was being put into the players' bags when it was noticed Crosby's stick and glove were missing." Security officers are "reviewing video that shows people leaving the rink with sticks" (AP, 3/8).

GOLFER BARBIE: Mattel's Barbie brand has partnered with LPGA player Brittany Lincicome as part of its "I Can Be ..." campaign. As part of the deal, Lincicome will help host several Barbie-themed golf clinics. The deal also includes a series of Barbie-branded golf clubs and accessories from youth golf manufacturer Acculength. The clubs will be available online timed in conjunction with the April 1-4 LPGA Kraft Nabisco Championship, which Lincicome won in '09 (Mattel).

LONG-TERM STAY: Hilton Hotels is set to "ramp up its UK marketing activity with its biggest campaign for several years," as the company will "focus on its affiliation with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team and its British drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button." Advertising and promotional activity "will feature either one or both of the F1 drivers" (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 3/9).