In London, David Kent reported adidas "has been criticised" by an animal rights group "following the release of a new advert promoting the World Cup." The company has "filmed a host of football's top stars holding a bloody cow's heart in the advert alongside the slogan: 'During the World Cup, I will give my heart to the cause'" (London DAILY MAIL, 6/2). In N.Y., Madison Hartman notes animal rights activists in Germany believe the ad "takes the idea too far" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/3).
GO YOUR OWN WAY: Hibbett Sports President & CEO Jeff Rosenthal appeared on Fox Business' "After the Bell" to discuss the retailer's business strategy. He said, "We really don't like competition. We like to go to small, isolated markets. We like to stay at least 20-30 minute drive time away from competition. We like to go where we're needed by consumers." Rosenthal acknowledged that the company has "lost about 20% of market cap in the past year." He added, "Ever since the second week of February, business has definitely picked up as the weather has gotten much better" ("After The Bell," Fox Business, 5/30).
IN THERE LIKE SWIMWEAR: Speedo USA last week announced the launch of a new Speedo Aquatic Zone "shop-within-a-shop" retail concept at four Sports Authority locations. The new 500+ square-foot premium Speedo Aquatic Zones located in Miami and Boca Raton, Fla., and Balboa and Sherman Oaks, Calif., stores, feature Speedo's swimsuits, goggles, accessories, training aids and footwear in a branded environment. The initiative is part of an expanded partnership with Sports Authority, which also unveiled an updated Speedo footprint in an additional 218 stores (Speedo).
GLOVE LOVE: In DC, Scott Allen notes Nationals LF Bryce Harper appears in a new commercial for Rawlings, in which he "throws on a practice field." The spot "lacks the wacky special effects" of Harper's Gatorade commercial and the "continuity errors" of his T-Mobile ad (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 6/2).
