The Salvation Army has "collected roughly $200,000 more than it did over a previous period one week earlier" since Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott's touchdown celebration on Sunday night. Cowboys Exec VP & Chief Brand Officer Charlotte Jones Anderson said, "Sometimes, those things that are authentic and spontaneous are what make people gravitate toward participating. I think that's what this is all about" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/21).
MORE THAN A SNACK: In Sacramento, Dale Kasler notes locally based Blue Diamond Growers is "extending its Olympic sponsorship" of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association for four more years. The deal was "arranged" by Crown Sports United -- a sports marketing company founded by the NBA Kings in '14. Kasler notes Crown Sports’ other clients "include the Squaw Valley and Alpine Valley ski resorts." The extension means Blue Diamond "will remain the association’s sponsor" through '20, including the run-up to the '18 PyeongChang Games. Blue Diamond "began its relationship with the association" in '14 (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/21).
FRUIT OF THE SEA: Jacksonville-based WJCT-FM's Ryan Benk noted Double-A Southern League Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp merchandise is "flying off the shelves, a little more than month after the minor league ball team’s owner changed the name from the Suns." Since the name change, Jumbo Shrimp hats, shirts, beer koozies and other memorabilia "have been shipped to 47 states and six foreign countries" (WJCT.org, 12/20).
