Joyce Julius and Associates has estimated that during
Tiger Woods' play at The Masters, Nike's logo was "visible
onscreen during CBS' Sunday coverage for 16 minutes and 31
seconds," according to Michael Hiestand of USA TODAY. It
also was seen for about another 18 seconds on Earl Woods.
Hiestand: "Based on an estimate of the cost of CBS' paid TV
ads, that loosely translates to $1,685,000 in on-air Nike
exposure" (USA TODAY, 4/17). In S.F., Tim Keown writes on
Woods under the header, "Tiger Woods Won't Fight For A
Cause." Keown notes the day after his Masters win, Woods
opened two new All-Star Cafes: "Welcome to sports in the
1990s. Check your social conscious at the door. ... If
Woods suddenly starts speaking out against the racism
inherent in country clubs and board rooms, if he starts
demanding that the places he play not exclude minorities,
how long do you think Titleist will keep him on the
payroll?" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/17).
TEE BOX: Callaway Golf reported net sales of $169.1M
for the first quarter ended March 31, an increase of 25%
over net sales from the same period last year. Net income
increased 26% to $24.5M (Callaway Golf). CNBC noted that
Callaway shares gained 21% to $.34/share in the first
quarter, $.01 above estimates and $.04 higher than a year
ago ("Market Wrap," CNBC, 4/16)....Wilson Sporting Goods CEO
Jim Baugh's efforts in "reviving Wilson's ailing golf
division" are examined by Janet Kidd Stewart in the CHICAGO
SUN-TIMES. In recent months, Wilson "has cut its Chicago
staff by 64 people (19 percent), introduced new products and
been the subject of industry speculation about a potential
spinoff from its Finnish parent company, Amer Group." Baugh
is "charging ahead," adding, "I'm hoping for two to three
percentage points [market share] in each category, minimum.
I know the brand will support much more with the right
products." Kidd Stewart notes there are no plans for Wilson
endorser John Daly until "his health improves" after alcohol
rehabilitation (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/17).