Marketplace Round-Up
North Carolina-based VF Corp., which owns Wrangler jeans, said that former NFLer Brett Favre will continue to endorse Wrangler this year, though the company still is "working out its media campaign and how he will play into it." Wrangler Senior Brand Manager Jenni Broyles: "We still see value in working with Brett and would have continued to do so this year whether or not he was still playing for the Packers" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 3/21).
FATHEAD: Jupiter Research Senior Analyst Patti Freeman Evans said that Fathead's "model of adding retail presence increases exposure and isn't too different from a designer having a special display in a department store." Evans: "Even though they may get an awful lot of eyeballs on their products online, off-line is still where most of the sales happen." Evans noted that Fathead has contracted with stores that "have large traffic and sales volume, which helps build a broad customer base." Fathead VP/Licensing Linda Castillon said that stocking shelves with Fatheads "also gives them credibility as decor." Castillon: "The name Fathead is kind of like tissue paper and Kleenex. Now when people talk about big format printing they don't call it 'Oh that's a big wall graphic.' They say 'Fathead'" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/22).
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FINA Re-Examining New Speedo LZR After
Number Of World Records Are Broken |
SINK FOR SWIMSUIT? Since Speedo in February launched its new LZR Racer swimsuit, 12 world records have been set, and FINA, swimming's governing body, will examine the suit "amid debate about the quest for speed in the pool." FINA previously approved the $550 suit, which is "made of extremely lightweight, water repellent fabric -- electronically bonded rather than sewn -- with special panels to reduce drag" (AP, 3/24). FINA Exec Dir Cornel Marculsecu: "There is no scientific test to show that any suit is supporting performance. ... There are concerns about suits being like triathlon suits, which are thicker. There are buoyancy issues" (SWIMNEWS.com, 3/24).
WHOSE SERVE? The WTA's Bausch & Lomb Championships in Amelia Island, Florida, on April 7-13 will be played under that name for the last time, as the event is looking for a new sponsor. Bausch & Lomb has sponsored the event for 22 years, but "changes in the law are causing it to pull out," as the company no longer can "entertain doctors at the event, severely reducing the appeal of sponsoring it" (JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/21 issue).
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