Marketplace Roundup

Galarraga's "Almost Perfect" Memorabilia Still Selling Nearly Two Months Later

Dreams Inc. National Sales Manager Jeff Rabinowitz in an e-mail said memorabilia featuring Tigers P Armando Galarraga, who lost a perfect game on June 2 after a blown call in the top of the 9th inning, is "selling well." In Detroit, Tony Paul reports FansEdge.com is "sold out of his autographed baseballs." The site is selling the back-ordered balls, which Galarraga signed with his name, No. 58 and the phrase "Almost Perfect," for $109.99. Galarraga also is signing "Almost Perfect" and "Nobody's Perfect" pictures for Mounted Memories, a division of Dreams Inc. Galarraga signed a contract with Mounted Memories on June 9 (DETROIT NEWS, 7/28).

SLAM DUNK: In New York, Mareesa Nicosia reported Dunkin' Donuts is "one in a bevy of local corporations that have signed on for five- or six-figure sponsorships" with NYRA during the 40-day meet at the Saratoga Race Course. The first-time deal "does lock in Dunkin' Donuts' spots on NYRA television, which is broadcast at 1,000 locations internationally, as well as making them the title sponsor of the Daily Double wagering tradition for the entire meet." Other sponsorship perks include a "package of four clubhouse seats for every day of the meet, which Dunkin' Donuts is offering to customers through an in-store sweepstakes, and a $2 discount off grandstand admission to the track every Monday if fans present their Dunkin’ Donuts rechargeable card at the gate" (THE SARATOGIAN, 7/27).

YOU'VE GOT A "FREND" IN ME: USA TODAY's Christina Crapanzano reports a seven-snowboarder crew known as "Frends" last week in N.Y. "unveiled a series of five headphones at Agenda, an action sports trade show." The headphones, "ranging from ear buds to larger, DJ styles, are the crew's answer to growing fan demands." Deciding on the product "proved to be difficult," as the snowboarders' existing endorsements "restricted them from producing anything from snowboards to street wear" (USA TODAY, 7/28).

CHARGING AHEAD: The Chargers have appointed Davis Elen Advertising as the team's agency of record for media buying. The assignment includes all advertising media buying venues, including TV, radio, print, online and out-of-home (Davis Elen).