ESPN has signed Holiday Inn Express as an official sponsor of both the SEC and SEC Network. As part of the deal, the hotel chain will have category exclusivity at all SEC championship events through the year. Part of Holiday Inn Express’ activation will include a “Pancake Selfie Express” mobile breakfast tour that will attend conference campuses before football games. The Pancake Selfie will laser a person’s face onto a pancake (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
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Blackhawks fans will be treated to an array of special events at the new rink
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ANCHORS AWAY: In Chicago, Lewis Lazare noted the city's Navy Pier has a new deal with the Blackhawks, who have agreed to "partner with the Pier's new outdoor ice skating rink." Aside from having their name "prominently affixed to the 82-foot-long wide rink's name," the Blackhawks' new partnership agreement means the team will "host an array of special events and programs for their season ticketholders and fans at the rink, including watch party events for the World Cup of Hockey." The ice rink has been "co-branded with Navy Pier and Blackhawks colors, logos and designs" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/17).
NO SECRETS: In Florida, Jim Turner noted Visit Florida's logo "remains emblazoned for a second season across the front" of EPL club Fulham FC's uniforms after a one-year renewal that cost $1.25M. The decision to "include the price tag on the deal this year was made after the agency got approval" to do so by Fulham and Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan. The financial disclosure is a "change for the agency, which often claims a need to protect trade secrets about deals." The Fulham deal "includes a tie-in" with the Jaguars' Oct. 2 game against the Colts at Wembley Stadium in London (NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA, 8/17).
LEAF LAW: The GLOBE & MAIL's Alicja Siekierska notes Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment on Tuesday bought more time to "decide whether to formally oppose a second trademark application filed for Leafs by Snoop," the marijuana company owned by Snoop Dogg. NHL Enterprises VP/Legal & Business Affairs Thomas Prochnow "filed the request for an extension of time on Aug. 16" on behalf of MLSE. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office "granted the application, giving MLSE 90 days to decide whether it will formally oppose Snoop's application" (GLOBE & MAIL, 8/18).
