The AP reported NFL sponsor Anheuser-Busch is "taking feedback from consumers about recent national anthem protests, but stands by its sponsorship of the league." A-B is giving callers to its consumer hotline the "automated option of leaving feedback about its NFL corporate sponsorship." The company "signed a six-year deal" with the NFL in '15. A-B InBev Senior Dir of Marketing Communications Matt Kohan said that the company has "no plans to end its NFL sponsorship" (AP, 10/3).
50 SHADES OF GOLD: In Atlanta, Ken Sugiura noted the Georgia Tech athletic department has been working with Adidas, which will become its apparel provider in July '18, to "select one particular shade of gold that can be used for uniforms, apparel and graphics." In August, when the new Adidas partnership was announced, GT AD Todd Stansbury said that there were "between 20 to 30 shades of gold that they were considering." The field has been "reduced, almost in bracket-style competition, to four" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/3).
PACK IT IN: WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY's Aria Hughes notes New Jersey-based luggage brand Tumi and Thunder G Russell Westbrook have "partnered again to create a capsule collection," which will be available tomorrow. Westbrook worked with Tumi to "update products in its existing assortment." The Tumi x Westbrook collection includes a "carry-on bag, a double expansion travel satchel, the Morrison and Warren backpacks, a jetsetter tote, a hanging travel kit and the Westbrook Dangler." Each piece features "Why Not?" which is Westbrook's mantra (WWD.com, 10/4).
THE MOOCH: In N.Y., Michael Grynbaum notes former White House Communications Dir Anthony Scaramucci's new media venture, the Scaramucci Post, has "signed its first advertiser: the Knockout Times, a website about female athletes started by a woman named Jamie Lewis." Lewis said that she knew Scaramucci from "her time working on Wall Street" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/4).
