Marketplace Roundup
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Quail Hollow Championship Chair Says Event Is
Solid, Despite Wachovia Pulling From Event |
PGA Tour Quail Hollow Championship Chair Mac Everett said that despite Wachovia's branding being pulled from the Charlotte-based event, "everything else that has positioned the tournament at a level just below golf's major championships remains in place." Everett: "The event is solid. We have more than 50 hospitality sponsors who are committed to venues on the golf course for long periods, so we're not out selling those every year. And many of our major vendors are holding prices at 2008 levels." Tournament Exec Dir Kym Hougham said that the re-branding of the tournament has "gone smoothly despite last-minute changes" (Columbia STATE, 3/24).
MAKING THE LEAP: In Vancouver, Bruce Constantineau reports Lesley Stowe Fine Foods has signed a one-year sponsorship of Canada's national ski jump team worth close to C$100,000. The team will be called the Lesley Stowe Fine Foods' Canadian Ski Jumping Team. Officials said that the deal "comes at a crucial time for the team, which recently lost federal Own-the-Podium funding because it doesn't have an athlete expected to win a medal" at the '10 Vancouver Games. Ski Jumping Canada Chair Brent Morrice said that he "wants to establish a multi-year arrangement" with the company" (VANCOUVER SUN, 3/25).
FRIENDLY SKIES: In Milwaukee, Don Walker reported Midwest Airlines is activating a new promo tied to Brewers' wins this season. The "Two for One" promo "gives members of the airline's frequent flyer program additional benefits." When the Brewers win "on a day when the member flies Midwest Airlines or Midwest Connect, the member will be credited with double miles." Postseason wins are worth triple miles (JSONLINE.com, 3/24).
ENERGY BOOST: Living Essentials (LE) and its 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength brand will expand its '09 sponsorship program with Rusty Wallace Racing (RWR). In addition to LE's sponsorship of RWR's No. 66 Nationwide Series entry driven by Steve Wallace, 5-Hour Energy Extra Strength will serve as the primary sponsor of RWR's No. 62 Nationwide Series entry driven by Brendan Gaughan for 13 races in '09 (RWR).
UNDER FIRE: CNBC’s Dylan Ratigan noted Under Armour, “once a very hot name,” saw shares drop 13% yesterday. optionMONSTER.com co-Founder Pete Najarian: “It had a couple of pretty big runs, though, and now all of sudden you get two downgrades in a row. … (There’s) some trimming going on” (“Fast Money,” CNBC, 3/24).
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