In San Antonio, W. Scott Bailey noted it is "not clear" whether retiring NBAer Tim Duncan "will continue to appear in future H-E-B ads." But the San Antonio-based grocery chain is in "no hurry to eliminate his role." A longtime team sponsor, H-E-B upped that support "significantly 11 years ago, when the company signed a deal with Duncan to appear in its commercials and to participate in its community outreach initiative." H-E-B has "left the door open for Duncan to continue to help pitch its goods." H-E-B VP/Marketing & Advertising Cory Basso: "We would love to have him in our commercials for as long as he wants" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 7/21).
FEEDING FRENZY: Johnsonville Sausage has become an SEC and SEC Network sponsor. The brand will receive category exclusivity, including on-site activation at SEC FanFare events during the conference's football championship and men’s basketball tournament. The deal also provides exposure with SEC Net’s traveling football pre-game show "SEC Nation" (ESPN).
ON A HOT TIN ROOF: SPORTING NEWS' Gabrielle McMillen noted Tin Roof Brewery is "working on mass producing an American Lager called Bayou Bengal to pay homage" to LSU football. The cans "will sport the school's gold and purple color scheme and with a fierce picture of the LSU tiger." Tin Roof is "working hard to have the beer released by Sept. 3," when LSU opens its season (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 7/21).
ELITE STATUS? In Baltimore, Jonas Shaffer noted Ravens QB Joe Flacco is featured in a new commercial for local dealership White Marsh Ford. He "is not a 'world champion car salesman,' or even someone who understands what cars are." Flacco in the spot says, "A car is like two motorcycles stuck together" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 7/21).
