MARKETING magazine’s John Reynolds notes HSBC is “upping its presence into grassroots tennis by launching an initiative to help promising Chinese tennis players.” The move comes amid a renewed interest in tennis in China following Li Na's victory at the French Open. The initiative involves HSBC “sponsoring four of China's budding tennis stars in a visit” to Wimbledon this year. The young players were “all selected by the Chinese tennis Federation to represent their country on the trip” (MARKETINGMAGAZINE.co.uk, 6/27)....Top Rank Chair Bob Arum indicated that Manny Pacquiao “postponed last weekend’s mega-meeting with Nike due to a previously-scheduled family vacation.” Arum: “It was just that Manny couldn’t make it because he had promised his family a one-week vacation.” Arum added, “But they’re working on it. It’s a huge, huge merchandise deal for all over the world” (BOXINGSCENE.com, 6/26)....This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Nike swoosh, and Golf Channel’s Erik Kuselias said of the logo, “In sports, it’s as recognizable as any. They are as worldwide as it gets. … When you see the swoosh, I don’t know anybody that doesn’t know what that is instantly” (“Morning Drive,” Golf Channel, 6/27).
