Marketplace Roundup
In Milwaukee, Don Walker reported the Bucks and Midwest Airlines have extended their marketing partnership "in a new direction." The new agreement includes "naming rights to the old Club 71" at Bradley Center, which now will be called the Midwest Airlines Hometown Champions Club. In addition to the naming rights, Midwest Airlines "will advertise on Bucks radio broadcasts and will have more signs on and off the Bradley Center court" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/24).
PLAYERS PITCHING IN: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster, when asked if players are "aware of doing more for the business in a tough economy," said, "Many of them talk to me in those terms, even the younger ones. They understand it." Allaster: "Players like Venus Williams, you could not ask for a better player leader. She’s been incredibly supportive inside the Player Council, and I can tell you she’s been actively engaged with helping with the Sony Ericsson renewal. She recently participated in a meeting in New York with me with Sony Ericsson along with Billie Jean King and Melanie Oudin. I think we know the story there: the past, present and future all understand the importance of our sponsorship partners" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/25).
WHAT WOMEN WANT: MEDIAPOST's David Goetzl reported Wal-Mart is "weaving in some female-oriented creative" during NFL telecasts, "figuring that women are fans, too, and those spots may resonate with them." Wal-Mart is "airing a spot that plugs the lower costs of the comfort food many eat while watching a game," and the retailer has a "separate 'Game Time is Family Time' tag that it also employs for promotions." TNS Media Intelligence data indicates that Wal-Mart "spent $16[M] in NFL telecasts last season" (MEDIAPOST.com, 10/23).
FAN INVOLVEMENT: In Charlotte, Jim Utter wrote it was a "cool idea by the folks at Tums to name the fans in attendance" at yesterday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway "as the grand marshals and officials starters of the race." Each fan was "given a green flag to officially start the race," and fans also gave the "Gentlemen, start your engines" command (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/25).
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