Tricon Global Restaurants consolidated its $300M
national TV buying duties at NY-based Young & Rubicam's
Media Edge, giving the shop responsibility for KFC, Pizza
Hut and Taco Bell. AD AGE's Kramer & Ross report that while
McDonald's is currently negotiating with NBC for commercial
time for the next five Olympic Games, it is devoting "nearly
half its media budget to local advertising." That has left
industry watchers to "wonder if the marketer will pony up
for category exclusivity. If it doesn't, it could open an
[Olympic] window for Tricon" (AD AGE, 4/27 issue).
OTHER NOTES: SRi Research has been appointed the
Official Market Research Agency for the ICC Cricket World
Cup '99. Two key research elements will include a review of
worldwide TV coverage and audience levels of the event,
together with a two-phase consumer survey across the UK
(SRi)....Dexter Shoes reached a deal with Strike Ten
Entertainment to serve as a sponsor of the WIBC Queens and
the Brunswick Intercollegiate Bowling Championships, May 10-
16, in Davenport, IA. The sponsorship includes broadcast
media, event signage and display at tournament venues
(Strike Ten)....GOLFWEEK's "Forecaddie" reports that talks
between Nick Faldo and Mizuno USA ended April 20 "with no
deal to extend his contract" (GOLFWEEK, 4/25 issue).
