The U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider a challenge
to a city of Baltimore ordinance that bans billboards
advertising cigarettes or beer. The ruling "is likely to
encourage other cities" to ban public ads for tobacco (L.A.
TIMES, 4/29). In the Baltimore ordinance, the Camden Yards
area was exempt (USA TODAY, 4/29)....Coca-Cola unveiled 16
new TV spots under its "Always Coca-Cola" campaign. Of the
16 spots, 15 come from Hollywood agency, Edge Creative and
one from Leo Burnett (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/29)....Shell
"has taken a lead sponsorship position" in the 240-acre
World Golf Village being built in St. Augustine, FL. Shell
will receive signage throughout the complex and a client
hospitality venue when the complex opens next year.
...Champion is "expected to ship" its first round of WNBA
apparel to retail in June. A TV ad with Lady Footlocker is
under development (BRANDWEEK, 4/28)....U.S. soccer player
Julie Foudy traveled to Pakistan to tour factory production
before becoming a Reebok spokesperson. Foudy: "I know
there's still other social issues there to be dealt with,
but as far as what Reebok was doing, I left feeling good
about it" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 4/26)....Investment manager
Financorp Group International Corp. and an affiliate
acquired 5.33% of common shares outstanding in The Sports
Authority. The NY-based group paid $30.825M for the 1.68
million shares, an average of $18.37 a share (N.Y. POST,
4/29)....Nike shares fell 2 3/4 to $53.37 1/2 yesterday
after a Hambrecht & Quist analyst lowered fiscal '98 U.S.
sales growth estimates to 4-5% from 10% and downgraded Nike
to a hold from a buy (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/28).