Marketplace Roundup

Nissan has announced an extension of its partnership with the Heisman Trophy Trust in which the automaker will become the exclusive "Premier Partner" through ‘16. Nissan will continue to support the charitable mission of the Heisman Trophy Trust, as well as promote the Heisman Trophy through activities such as the Heisman Trophy Tour, consumer sweepstakes, social media, online activities and other events. Nissan began its relationship with the Heisman Trophy in ‘05 (Nissan).

PREPARING FOR THE LIMELIGHT: In Detroit, Louis Aguilar notes the town of Hamtramck, Mich., is “preparing for a potential mega-jolt of publicity if Chevy decides to air a Hamtramck-themed Volt ad during the Super Bowl in February.” From what “interviewed residents can tell, the ad may embrace the ‘to-hell-and-back’ theme that made Chrysler Group LLC's ‘Imported From Detroit’ ad during last year's Super Bowl such a hit.” GM is “being coy about whether the Hamtramck-themed Volt commercial will premiere” during the game. GM Dir of Product & Brand Communications Patrick Morrissey: "We haven't decided yet. ... We create a lot of different spots. The final decision will come in a few weeks" (DETROIT NEWS, 1/6).

LURING THEM IN: In Indianapolis, Anthony Schoettle noted the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association on Wednesday “launched a 25-day, $100,000 advertising campaign to lure regional visitors to the city the weekend before" Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5. The campaign, which “includes banner ads on ESPN.com and 30-second ads on Sirius/XM satellite radio and local sports-talk radio stations in Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville, will run through Feb. 2.” ICVA spokesperson Chris Cahl said, “We’re running the campaign right up until the time that the four-night (hotel-stay) minimums begin.” The tagline of the campaign is “Come see a Super City before the Super Bowl” (IBJ.com, 1/5).

ROTTEN FRUIT: ESPN’s Jim Rome talked about the Nike T-shirts that are being given to the winning teams in BCS games and said, "Just a day after I hyped the ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ tees that Michigan rocked, I see West Virginia wearing victory tees that say ‘Orange You Glad We Won.’" Rome : "That's the joke your five-year-old tells you when he comes home from school and you pretend it's the funniest thing you've ever heard.” The T-shirt was “almost as embarrassing as Clemson give up 70 in the first place." He asked, "What’s next? The LSU-Alabama winner getting tees that say ‘We Don't Take No BCS’” (“Jim Rome Is Burning,” ESPN2, 1/5).