Duke Univ. and Nike on Thursday announced a 12-year extension of their partnership that will see the company supply all 27 of the school’s athletics teams with uniforms, footwear, apparel and equipment innovation through '27. Financial terms were not disclosed (Duke).
PEPPED UP: USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck reports a Pepsi video released Thursday morning "highlights the career of Jeff Gordon, its longest-tenured spokesman who has been with the company" since '97. Gordon "will run a Pepsi-branded car" next month at Phoenix Int'l Raceway. Gordon has outlasted "every other celebrity spokesperson" and been featured "in everything from traditional ads to vending machine fronts to viral videos like 'Test Drive.'" Pepsi Dir of Franchise Development for the Carolinas Ron Faust, who introduced Gordon to the brand, said, "So many celebrities are paid millions of dollars to represent products, but they don’t respect the product. He’s always respected our product and that speaks to character and integrity" (USA TODAY, 10/16).
YOU WEAR IT WELL: Patriots QB Tom Brady earlier this week signed with Tag Heuer as an endorser, and he will assist in the design of the company’s new wearable technology watch. CNBC’s Carl Quintanilla said, "You hear companies like Under Armour and Nike talk about you have to expand the base of athletes to sell apparel and wearables, so endorsements like this are not immaterial.” CNBC’s Jim Cramer said this endorsement “does matter” and UA has “done the most in this area because of their whole fitness connection program is good” (“Squawk on the Street,” CNBC, 10/16).
EMOJI JUMANJI: In Indianapolis, Dana Hunsinger Benbow notes the "first-ever NFL emoji keyboard launched Thursday, courtesy of SportsManias, known for its real-time news for fantasy players and fans." With the free app, "player emojis, GIFs and memes are now at your fingertips to taunt as you see fit" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/16).
