PVI INKS TWO NFL TEAM DEALS: NJ-based PVI will provide
electronic imaging technology for the Bears and Ravens
preseason games. As part of each deal, PVI will receive a
portion of the gross revenue generated through ad sales.
The teams will use PVI's L-VIS system to air commercials and
promo messages to local viewers during preseason broadcasts
on WBBM-TV in Chicago and WJZ-TV in Baltimore (PVI).
PROTECTING ITS STARS: Converse spokesperson Kellie
Buckley, on the Cowboys' suit against Converse over the
similarities of their star logos: "The Cowboys talk about
tradition, but we've been using the star since basketball
hoops were made of peach buckets" (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
7/23)....Hoping to protect its merchandise against
counterfeiting and forgery, the AFL has signed a deal with
CO-based Optical Security Industries (OpSec), a producer of
holograms which will be used to label all AFL merchandise
produced by U.S. licensees (AFL)....Toyota took out a full-
page ad in USA Today's sports section touting endorser Mark
O'Meara's victory at last week's British Open. A photo of
O'Meara holding the claret jug appears under the text,
"Congratulations, Mark. You've just earned the right to
drink from the claret jug. Enjoy every sip" (THE DAILY).
...Primestar and Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) officially
announced their three-year agreement under which Primestar
becomes title sponsor of the Primestar 500 at TMS. The deal
begins with the '99 race, slated to be held March 27 (TMS).
