Marketplace Roundup

Domino's Pizza announced that it has become the official pizza of the NCAA and several of its 23 Division I national championships. Domino's is teaming with Coca-Cola, Turner Sports and CBS Sports in a multiyear partnership, marking the first time the QSR has partnered nationally with collegiate athletics. It also marks the first national sports marketing sponsorship for Domino's since '07. Through the partnership, Domino's will have rights to the NCAA basketball tournaments, including the men's and women's Final Fours, the Men's Frozen Four and the men's and women's College World Series (Domino's).

FORT KNOX: In Chicago, Vaughn McClure reports Bears WR Johnny Knox has signed the "first endorsement deal" of his career to promote Avitae, a new brand of energy drink. Knox received a "four-figure signing bonus as part of the marketing deal." With an NFL lockout looking like a distinct possibility, Knox noted he has talked to the Bears' union reps. He said , "They've told me prepare as if there's going to be a lockout and take care of your money. Since then, my marketing agent, Bill Horn, he's been putting things together for me trying to find better opportunities just in case" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/11).

PEDAL TO THE METAL: Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Thursday announced a partnership with metal-cutting manufacturer Hurco Companies Inc. Hurco will have a branded machine shop at the team's Indianapolis facility and will have its logo featured on the No. 22 Izod IndyCar Series entry driven by Justin Wilson (Dreyer & Reinbold Racing).