In Phoenix, Mike Sunnucks noted the Coyotes “went outside their home marketplace when hiring” Minneapolis-based Fallon to “handle its advertising” for the ’11-12 NHL season. Fallon created the Travelers TV ad campaigns “shown often during national sporting events.” The Coyotes are “looking to improve their attendance, sponsorships and suite sales.” The team ranked 29 out of 30 NHL teams in attendance last season, drawing an “average just under 12,200 fans per game” to Jobing.com Arena (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/15).
THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN: The Hornets Monday announced that Entergy “has joined existing Cox Communications, 7-UP and Ochsner Health System as a top-level Crescent City Champion sponsor for the franchise.” In New Orleans, John Reid noted Entergy “has been a partner of the Hornets since the team arrived” in the city in ‘02. As a new Crescent City Champion, Entergy “has taken on the presenting role for Planet Rebound, the Hornets ‘green’ initiative that focuses on wetlands conservation, renewable energy and community beautification” (NOLA.com, 8/15).
JUST A MINUTE: The Univ. of Massachusetts and Nelligan Sports Marketing announced an agreement that gives NSM exclusive rights to manage UMass’s athletic marketing rights. NSM will also be able to sell permanent signage for all events in the Mullins Center (NSM).
