MARKETPLACE ROUND-UP

          In N.Y., Kyle Pope writes that Wall Street analysts and
     broadcasters "are predicting a surprising rebound in [TV] ad
     sales during this year's 'upfront' selling season" in May. 
     Buoyed by the Olympics and the 2000 presidential race, the
     "Big Four" TV nets "could collectively see spending
     increases" of 7-9% for the season that runs from September
     through May 2000 (N.Y. TIMES, 3/18)....Advertisers are
     "paying an average" of $1M for a 30-second spot during ABC's
     Oscars broadcast, which has an ad roster of "about" 15
     companies (USA TODAY, 3/18)....K-Swiss reported '98 profits
     of $12.5M, or $2.20 per share, which "nearly tripled" '97's
     performance.  K-Swiss CFO George Powlick said that "an
     accelerated marketing and advertising campaign" helped the
     results: "We're having very good success with respect to our
     footwear being in tune with the market" (L.A. DAILY NEWS,
     3/17)....Montreal-based equipment manufacturer SLM Int'l has
     changed its name to "The Hockey Company (THC)" (THC).