Kodak and the PGA Tour Friday announced an extension of their marketing partnership through ’16. The partnership beginning next year will be structured around Kodak’s strategic focus on its business-to-business segments and will put greater emphasis on client hospitality and entertainment. Kodak did not renew its sponsorship of the Kodak Challenge (PGA Tour).YAHOO SPORTS’ Shane Bacon wrote the Kodak Challenge “was just another drop in the hat of events most people aren't going to pay attention to, but I liked the fact that lesser known players had a chance to compete for some money that might actually matter.” Bacon: “I'm sure most people are glad to see it go, but I actually thought it was a cool wrinkle to the golf season” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 12/26).
THE WEIGHT IS OVER: Nutrisystem announced former NFLer and Fox studio analyst Terry Bradshaw as the company’s new spokesperson for the launch of the new Men’s Success program. Bradshaw has lost 32 pounds on the Nutrisystem Success program and plans to continue shedding the weight. The company will feature Bradshaw individually, as well as with fellow spokesperson and Pro Football HOFer Dan Marino, in an ad campaign as part of its '12 diet season efforts aimed at the men’s market (Nutrisystem).
THE KING'S COURT: In Charlotte, Jim Utter wrote NASCAR driver Aric Almirola “has emerged as the leading candidate to take over the legendary No. 43 for Richard Petty Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series in 2012.” Sources said that the deal “will be announced after the Christmas and New Year's holidays and will include a sponsor announcement.” The seat became open after A.J. Allmendinger left RPM last week to join Penske Racing (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/24).
