In Lawrence, Matt Tait notes the Univ. of Kansas yesterday unveiled new football helmets which "feature five colors and two styles of Jayhawks." The addition of the helmets, for which "fans and players alike have been clamoring for years, gives KU as many as 20 potential uniform options on game days." A KU official added that the football program also would be "upgrading its uniforms before the start of the season" (LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD, 7/2).
SAY CHEESE: In Milwaukee, Tom Daykin noted Packers WR Jordy Nelson will be "featured in a new Wisconsin tourism TV commercial." The 60- and 90-second fall tourism spot will "star Nelson and his wife, Emily." Nelson also will "write a monthly blog during the football season for TravelWisconsin.com and make a personal appearance at the Governor's Conference on Tourism next March" (JSONLINE.com, 7/1).
EURO TRIP: ADWEEK's David Gianatasio noted a new ad for the European Tour includes golfer Rory McIlroy "against a wise-cracking golf-ball-hitting robot." When a washer lights up and sounds like a pinball machine, the robot asks, "Is that the same noise you heard when you signed your sportswear contract?" The washing-machine imagery is "goofily memorable, but the video's four-minute running time feels like 40 minutes." McIlroy "giggles incessantly" during the spot (ADWEEK.com, 7/1). Golf World's Ron Sirak tweeted, "This European Tour video of Rory McIlroy taking on robot is hilarious. Nice to see him smile! Rory, not the robot!" (TWITTER.com, 7/2).
EARNING POTENTIAL: In London, Nick Clark notes tennis player Laura Robson’s "off court earnings are estimated to be" between US$455,176-758,647. brandRapport Sports Marketing Dir Nigel Currie believes that after Wimbledon, Robson “has the potential to double those earnings over the next year," possibly into seven figures. Currie said, “She’s very young, good looking and very personable." Robson’s "big money sponsorship deals currently include Adidas and Virgin Active." Clark notes Robson "relies heavily" on Octagon agent Abigail Tordoff (London INDEPENDENT, 7/2).
