USA TODAY’s Hiestand & McCarthy write NBA players’ endorsement opportunities appear “established” despite the ongoing lockout, and veteran players “are stable.” Younger players “are taking most of the hit from consumers.” Marketing Evaluations Exec VP Henry Schafer, whose company’s Q Scores measure consumer appeal of athletes and other personalities, said that Clippers F Blake Griffin, Bulls G Derrick Rose, Wizards G John Wall and Pacers F Danny Granger “dropped from an average of 21 in March to 14 last month.” Mavericks C Dirk Nowitzki was the “only NBA player with a rising Q score,” going from 18 to 25 during the same span, a “likely reflection of winning his first NBA title” (USA TODAY, 10/12).
SECRET ROSE: CSNCHICAGO.com’s Tony Andracki noted Rose is organizing a basketball game Saturday "somewhere in Chicago,” and he will be “releasing clues via his Facebook page throughout the week with the details of the location and time of game.” Rose on his Facebook page Monday wrote, "To celebrate the launch of the adiZero Rose 2, I'm setting up a game this Saturday and am looking for some of my Facebook friends to come play with me and my crew." He will be posting clues on Facebook "letting you know where/when the game is and the password for entry." The first people to "get to the location on Saturday and that know the password will get a chance to play” (CSNCHICAGO.com, 10/10).
THEY'RE GRRRRRRREAT! USOC sponsor Kellogg Co. yesterday announced details of its Team Kellogg's program, which consists of past, present and hopeful U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Per Kellogg's sponsorship with the USOC, Team Kellogg's athletes will share their personal nutritional habits and their favorite breakfast routines on the company's Facebook page. The athletes taking part in the promotion include MLS Red Bulls F Juan Agudelo, table tennis player Michael Landers, long jumper Dwight Phillips, TV commentator and former swimmer Summer Sanders, swimmer Rebecca Soni, Paralympic track & field athlete Casey Tibbs and beach volleyballer Kerri Walsh (Kellogg Co.).
PEG O' MY HEART: Toyota Canada has signed as a sponsor of the NHL Jets in the team's inaugural year in Winnipeg. As part of the deal, Toyota receives brand placement on the Jets’ website, an in-ice logo, a camera-visible rink board and a logo featured on the backdrop behind the visitor’s bench. The company also serves as the club’s media backdrop. A 30-second promo spot for Toyota ran on the arena’s scoreboard during the Jets' home opener Sunday against the Canadiens. Toyota Canada Managing Dir Stephen Beatty noted the company will also promote the ’12 Camry this season (Toyota Canada).
