Symetra Financial President & CEO Tom Marra appeared on Golf Channel's "Morning Drive" this morning to discuss his company signing as the title sponsor of the LPGA Futures Tour. Marra said, "We're a company on the move, we're not a household name, let’s face it, but we're getting there and we've got a good company and we aspire to great things. So as we look at this developmental tour, you've got, obviously, fantastic golfers, but they're aspiring to the next level. … It was a great way to entertain our clients and we just think it's a natural.” He added, “We're a financial services company, so we're in the benefits business, the life insurance business and retirement. And, let's face it, a lot of people who are in need of those products are big golf fans and a lot of people who sell those products are big golf fans as well. So we have opportunities to entertain at each of these events. We're getting our name out, we're a company on the move. We're real excited to be part of this” ("Morning Drive," Golf Channel, 11/17).
REMAINING OPTIMISTIC: In Portland, Kerry Eggers reports an announcement is expected in the next couple of days “regarding Safeway’s title sponsorship of the annual LPGA event” in the city. Tournament Dir Tom Maletis said, “I’m optimistic. Nothing has been settled yet, and it has taken longer than I’d hoped because there are so many moving parts. But I’m hopeful we’re going to continue to have LPGA golf in Portland” (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 11/17).
RALLYING POINT: In St. Louis, Deb Peterson noted the Rally Squirrel, which was adopted by the SSM Cardinal Glennon Medical Center as its mascot during the Cardinals' World Series run, “has raised nearly half a million for the center.” The money was raised “through the sales of charity apparel -- T-shirts, hats with squirrel tails and trading cards produced by Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation.” The items were sold during the MLB postseason. Foundation Exec Dir Dan Buck said that “more than 30,000 T-shirts were sold.” The money raised “covers the cost of building a new playground above the Bob Costas Cancer Center” (STLTODAY.com, 11/16).
TO THE MAX: Bills DT Marcell Dareus teamed with Pepsi Max and Tops Friendly Markets in West Seneca, N.Y. on Tuesday to reveal the new Pepsi Max Rookie cans. Nine other NFL rookies are featured on their own Pepsi MAX can: , Bengals QB Andy Dalton, Browns WR Greg Little, Panthers DT Terrell McClain, Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray, Rams WR Austin Pettis, Vikings QB Christian Ponder, Patriots RB Stevan Ridley, Eagles G Danny Watkins, Lions WR Titus Young (BUFFALOBILLS.com, 11/16).
