USA TODAY's Sam Amick cites Celebrity DBI data as showing that Warriors G Stephen Curry leads the NBA in "key categories such as trust and appeal while quickly moving up the overall list (he's 22nd overall in the NBA)." This adds to the "mountain of evidence that he's a tremendous representative for the game." His new deal with Under Armour has "made him an even bigger hit in China," he has a deal with flavored mouth-guard company MoGo Sport and he is partaking in an effort to "convince citizens to sign up for Obamacare as part of a partnership with Kaiser Permanente." Curry said, "I have a great support system, a small circle, so they don't ever let me get too ahead of myself" (USA TODAY, 10/30).
A WHOLE NEW WORLD: GRANTLAND's Rembert Browne wrote Nike's new ad for Heat F LeBron James spotlights him as an "iconic adult basketball winner." Browne: "It's the beauty of winning. The need to put on airs evaporates. No one can tell you anything." Imagine James putting out a commercial four years ago in which he is "biking around in a helmet." Browne: "You can almost taste the slander that would be directed his way" (GRANTLAND.com, 10/28).
DEAL WITH THE DEVILS: In New Jersey, John Brennan wrote Mongolia-based Golia Vodka is "looking to make a splash" with its new deal with the Devils to turn Prudential Center's Ice Lounge into the Golia Ice Lounge. The company's logo "can be seen throughout Prudential Center via arena wide LEDs and digital concourse displays in over 100 locations," and Golia "will be showcased in the lounge through specialty cocktails," as well as highlighted in suite menus. Golia as part of the deal "will also receive radio commercials during every Devils game" on WFAN-AM, as well as on the Devils and Prudential Center websites during the season (NORTHJERSEY.com, 10/29).
PLAYING KETCHUP: PR WEEK's Lindsay Stein reported Bristol Motor Speedway has hired Ketchum to "handle PR for the next three years as the venue prepares to host the inaugural Battle at Bristol college football game" between Virginia Tech and Tennessee (PRWEEKUS.com, 10/29).
