DDB Needham, Dallas, has been named the first creative
agency for the LPGA, and will develop a multimedia campaign
to "step up the organization's profile," according to Steve
Krajewski of ADWEEK. DDB estimated billings on its portion
of the business at $5-10M. LPGA President Jim Ritts said
that while "various shops" have handled assignments in local
markets for LPGA events, the organization has never had a
"concerted branding effort or a roster agency." Ritts: "Our
goal is to clearly define the LPGA brand name and increase
its visibility." DDB will develop TV, print and radio
elements for the LPGA, which are scheduled to roll out next
spring. The TV component of the campaign will air during
LPGA events on major networks and national cable stations.
Media will continue to be handled in-house. Ritts added
that the move "to more aggressively market" the LPGA
"follows last month's appointment" of former Anheuser-Busch
Exec Carol Kelleher as VP/Marketing (ADWEEK, 10/27 issue).
WTA TOUR STILL IN THE CHASE: The Corel WTA Tour and
Chase Manhattan Bank have extended and enhanced their year-
round Corporate Partner agreement. Chase is the "Official
Worldwide Bank of the Corel WTA Tour" and has donated over
$10,000 to worldwide charities as part of the Chase Monthly
Champion Award (Corel WTA Tour). Chase said its new one-
year renewal "is more expansive in scope than previous
partnerships" but would not disclose details. The Corel WTA
Tour sponsorship, packaged and sold by IMG, Cleveland,
includes category exclusivity, print and TV units in WTA
Tour media, and promotional rights (AD AGE, 10/27).
NOTES: WI-based Huffy Sports has introduced a new line
of WNBA licensed products, including a WNBA/Rebecca Lobo
portable basketball system and a WNBA team Mini-Jammer and
Street Net (Huffy Sports)....CO-based G Industries' 50 ABL-
licensed items are expected to generate more than $1M in
sales in '97. The company's T-shirts, sold throughout the
country, feature graphics of female players and phrases such
as "She shoots. She scores" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/27).