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| White Gets Big Air With IMG Deal |
Snowboarder and skateboarder Shaun White has signed with IMG's X Sports Division for exclusive representation in management, marketing, sponsorships, appearances and other areas. White is the first client for the X Sports Division, which is an event production, TV and management company (IMG). X Sports Division VP Mark Ervin said that the company "has been approached over the years by a number of other action sports athletes seeking representation but has passed on them, waiting for the right one." White has deals with Burton, Volcom, Oakley, Target, Sony PlayStation and Birdhouse (Liz Mullen, SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 1/27).
EATING BY EXAMPLE: In London, Julia Day wrote that a survey conducted by the U.K.'s Food Commission claims that ManU's David Beckham, Newcastle's Alan Shearer and Liverpool's Michael Owen "are compromising education campaigns by accepting promotion deals from fatty, salty and sugary food brands." Premiership players, clubs and the FA "have all be criticised for advertising junk food to children by the food commission." Beckham pitches Pepsi, while Shearer endorses McDonald's, and Owen advertises Walkers Crisps. ManU has a deal with Pepsi, Tottenheim Hotspur has a deal with McDonald's and Sutherland has deals with Coca-Cola and McDonald's (London GUARDIAN, 1/27).
ADIDAS: In a tribute to fallen rapper Jam Master Jay of Run-DMC, adidas has begun selling a $100 limited edition Jason Mizell Ultrastar shoe. Proceeds of the 5,000 units support the DJ Scratch Academy for aspiring DJs in N.Y. The Ultrastar shoe was first created for Run-DMC in the '80s along with a clothing line (BRANDWEEK, 1/27 issue).
