GM's Chevrolet is "expanding it relationship" with Cal
Ripken, according to AD AGE. On January 10, Ripken, who has
been affiliated with Chevrolet since '95, will host
"Silverado Sneak Preview," a half-hour show which will air
on the Odyssey Channel (AD AGE, 12/11)....OH-based Verna Lee
Specialty will introduce the first David Justice Chocolate
Bar, to be distributed in retail stores throughout Northeast
OH in time for the holidays (THE DAILY)....Heineken has
signed a deal with Tennis Australia giving it "substantial"
on-court signage, alongside Ford, at the Australian Open.
The multi-year sponsorship agreement also calls for a
Heineken Beer Garden to be situated in Melbourne Park during
the tournament, which will be promoted as the Australian
Open presented by Ford in association with Heineken
(Australian Open)....FL-based JumboSports has signed TX-
based Richards Group to handle its media planning and
buying, areas previously handled by Horizon Media. Billings
were estimated at "more than" $3M (N.Y. TIMES, 12/12)....The
NFL and adidas formally announced its Pro Line partnership.
But the AP notes the deal getting adidas on the playing
field "came too late" to help the company keep endorser Troy
Aikman, who left adidas in October because of the "dispute"
between the company and the NFL. The league had prohibited
Aikman from wearing adidas shoes and had fined him $40,000
because the company lacked an NFL license (Mult., 12/11).
