In Austin, John Maher writes two weeks ago Circuit of the Americas e-mail subscribers “received a message touting ‘Must See -- Circuit of the Americas History Video!’” Those who clicked on the link “saw what looked like a mistake: a 12-minute YouTube video of former circuit partner TAVO HELLMUND talking during several press conferences and interviews.” Circuit of the Americas organizers are now “suing Dallas-based Rocket Red in district court in Travis County about that email, claiming its subscriber list was compromised.” Circuit officials said that the “unauthorized message, from F1 COTA News, was sent to a subscriber list that existed in January 2011, which is about the time the circuit’s contract with Rocket Red to manage its website was terminated” (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10/30).
NEW AUTHORITY: GOLF WORLD MONDAY's Ryan Herrington reported Monumental Sports & Entertainment Vice ChairSHELIA JOHNSON has become “the first African-American female to sit on the USGA Executive Committee.” Johnson will “hardly be a figurehead at the USGA.” Her participation on the committee “will provide not just a diverse voice but an authoritative one” (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 10/29 issue).
CAR COMPETITION: In Boston, Richard Murray reported the NASCAR Kinetics competition this year will have 18 universities “competing nationwide.” It is “divided into three sections.” Students “do two case studies, one on Activision’s video game 'NASCAR' and the other on up-and-coming NASCAR driver MARTIN TRUEX JR., and then they organize a viewing party for a NASCAR race.” The Univ. of Massachusetts team is “tied for first place” with Syracuse Univ. (BOSTON HERALD, 10/26).
NAMES: The Bengals have partnered with Lumina Foundation for Education and CollegeAdvantage to promote awareness of the importance of higher education. The team is making offers to the community of merchandise, autographs and a scholarship (Bengals)….Red Sox Chair TOM WERNER is investing in Blaze Pizza, a “new California chain serving ‘fast-fire’d’ thin-crusted pizza in under two minutes for less than $7” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/30)….“Live!” co-host and former NFLer MICHAEL STRAHAN sold his town house in Hermosa Beach, Calif., for $1.725M (LATIMES.com, 10/29)….New Balance has “expanded its real estate empire” in Brighton, Mass., by “snapping up two commercial properties several strides” from the company’s corporate headquarters. There are “no specific redevelopment plans at this point” (BOSTON HERALD, 10/29)....ADWEEK awarded NASCAR Senior VP & CMO STEVE PHELPS its Brand Genius Award for Sports (ADWEEK, 10/29 issue)….Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN will be the opening keynote speaker for the 50th anniversary edition of the NATPE/Content First conference in Miami Beach in January (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 10/29).
