AD AGE's E.J. Schultz reported PepsiCo "will put Mtn Dew in the Super Bowl for the first time" since '00 "with an in-game ad for the Kickstart" energy drink line. BBDO, N.Y., will produce the spot. PepsiCo "previously confirmed that brand Pepsi will get an in-game ad in addition to sponsoring the Super Bowl halftime show." PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division also will "run one Super Bowl ad for Doritos as part of the 'Crash the Super Bowl' contest, which is in its tenth and final year" (ADAGE.com, 11/9). Kickstart earlier this year had a spot during the Super Bowl XLIX pregame show and then on digital outlets (THE DAILY).
TOP SHELF: In Montreal, Dave Stubbs reports Canada-based Imports Dragon has "secured a licence with the NHL and NHLPA" to produce a "new line of NHL figurines, three lines in fact, available in some toy stores now and soon to be widely available." The first series, "for release this fall, includes 44 two-and-a-half inch figurines," as well as "more than 40 highly detailed six-inch models." Coming later "will be about a half-dozen deluxe, painstakingly accurate 10-inch versions" retailing from $49.99 to $69.99 (MONTREAL GAZETTE, 11/10).
ROYAL WELCOME: In K.C., Joyce Smith reported there are some “unconventional Royals souvenirs” this holiday season, including “Waterford Crystal baseballs and Waterford Pilsner glasses, watercolor prints of Kauffman Stadium, Christmas ornaments, temporary tattoos, shot glasses, men’s socks, baby bibs, koozies, magnets and more.” For those who need “more Royals T-shirts,” some stores are offering non-MLB sanctioned options “with such sayings as ‘I survived to see the Royals win another World Series,’ ‘Straight Outta Kauffman’ and ‘The Greatest Baseball Team in the Universe’” (K.C. STAR, 11/6).
GOOD VIBRATIONS: The Pistons yesterday announced a partnership with Silicon Valley-based tech company Kitman Labs. The new Kitman System will enable Pistons coaches and trainers to receive alerts that can help decrease injury risk and optimize athletic efficiency. Kitman also has deals with teams in MLB and the NFL, as well as EPL club Everton (Kitman).
