In K.C., Diane Stafford noted Cubs 2B Ben Zobrist and Royals C Salvador Perez will now both have their own Itty Bitty doll as part of "Hallmark Cards' collectible lineup." The tiny, plush Zobrist figure "won't be available for shipping until mid June, but Hallmark is accepting online pre-orders now" (
K.C. STAR, 4/12).
GETTING CREATIVE: In San Jose, Annie Sciacca notes Cal is "getting creative in the way it contracts with companies that want to sell goods or sponsor teams on campus" as state funding has "dwindled." Cal's two-year-old University Partnership Program (UPP), which "works to leverage deals with vendors on campus into funding for student programs such as internships, extra courses and other projects." UPP Exec Dir Solly Fulp said that the idea for the partnerships "came around after the school’s effort to rebrand its football stadium showed companies’ eagerness 'to engage with the campus year round.'" The program has generated several partnerships with companies, including Under Armour (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 4/13).
TEENAGE DREAM: INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY's Elain Low cited a recent survey from financial firm Piper Jaffray as noting that Adidas has "become the No. 1 new label worn by male teens, knocking out Nike." Among all brands, it is the "third most preferred fashion footwear brand among upper-income teens." But among all upper-income and average-income teens, Nike "remains the top athletic clothing brand." Meanwhile, Under Armour became the "No. 1 brand that's no longer being worn by upper-income teenage boys" (INVESTORS.com, 4/10).
