In Chicago, Lewis Lazare reports BMO Harris has launched a new campaign via FCB, Chicago, highlighting its "ongoing sponsorship deal" with the Blackhawks and Bulls. Two new ads promoting the bank's team-branded debit Mastercards utilize the tagline, "We're Here To Help." Viewers will see players from both teams -- including Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook and G Scott Darling, along with Bulls Fs Nikola Mirotic and Taj Gibson -- in "settings where they are able to assist people going about their daily lives" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/26).
BODY BY DEZ: Cowboys WR Dez Bryant is endorsing BodyArmor as the sports drink launches in Texas today. As part of the deal, Bryant "will appear in advertising campaigns for the brand." WNBA Dallas Wings G Skylar Diggins will "team up with Bryant in promoting BodyArmor." Roc Nation Sports, which represents Bryant for marketing, said that they have been "deliberately selective" with his endorsements (STAR-TELEGRAM.com, 1/25).
GETTING POLITICAL: In N.Y., Nick Corasaniti notes some major sports events allowed ads from presidential candidates campaigning in Iowa from being "lost in a blizzard of others." Hillary Clinton ran a 60-second ad "twice in 20 minutes" during NBC's Saturday primetime broadcast of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Meanwhile, the AFC Championship on CBS saw Marco Rubio making "trick football catches" in one ad, while fellow Republican Ted Cruz was seen "duck hunting with Phil Robertson of the TV show 'Duck Dynasty' in another." The Iowa caucus is Feb. 1 (N.Y. TIMES, 1/26). For rundown of political ads airing during sports programming in Iowa and New Hampshire, see this week's issue of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL.
