Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell stated yesterday that PepsiCo
won't be able to display outdoor advertising at GeoNova, a 15-
story education and entertainment domed complex housing theaters
and a museum -- and also adjacent to Coca-Cola's Atlanta HQs.
Pepsi announced Monday they will sponsor the $40M project, but
Campbell and Olympic organizers, "determined to protect" ACOG
sponsors from ambush marketing, accused Pepsi of trying "to
muscle its way" into the '96 Games. Campbell had earlier voiced
support for the project, which he said then could someday become
Atlanta's No. 1 attraction. Campbell: "I will make certain
before I endorse another project that I have a full understanding
of the sponsorship and its ramifications." Campbell was also
"irked" to hear Pepsi may advertise on the GeoNova globe's outer
surface: "I tell you what it's not going to be. It's not going
to be a giant advertising sign." PepsiCo spokesperson Brad Shaw
said he was "surprised Pepsi's involvement made Campbell hostile
toward the project," but added that they would proceed with their
plans (Darryl Fears, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 9/13).
