In Ft. Worth, Barry Shlachter reported eight companies have "expressed interest in naming rights" for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in April at Texas Motor Speedway. TMS Sales Dir Devron Jeffers said that each company sent execs to the track last Friday "to get an up-close look at what NASCAR means to fans." The TMS staff started by "making face-to-face pitches to more than 70 companies after Samsung announced it was waving the checkered flag" on its sponsorship of the Samsung Mobile 500 (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/3).
TEE TO GREEN: The WGC-HSBC Champions event will become part of the PGA Tour's FedExCup schedule. The money earned at the event will count as official money on the PGA Tour. In addition, HSBC revealed it will extend its title sponsorship of the HSBC Champions for three additional years through '15 (PGA Tour).
WIZARDS' POTION: In DC, Sarah Kogod noted the Wizards are "advertising a drink promotion they’re calling a 'Bar Tour,' where packages starting at $25 gets you a game ticket and $2 Budweiser products to enjoy during your pre-game celebrations." The ads feature G Bradley Beal, the "only team member who isn’t of legal drinking age." The ad was created by TiqIQ and there was an "oversight in the approval process between the team and the ticket company" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/2).
RISING ITS PROFILE: The NLL and entertainment marketing firm UEG today will announce a strategic marketing partnership. UEG will pursue brand, media, and entertainment opportunities for the league's players and teams. It also will oversee all brand activations, develop interactive experiences, and create a larger TV and digital presence for the league. This will involve pitching NLL assets to filmmakers, TV producers and other entertainment industry decision makers. UEG has offices in N.Y., L.A., Dallas and London, with a client roster that includes Frito-Lay, Procter & Gamble and AT&T. IMG will continue to handle sponsorships and TV contract negotiations for the NLL (Preston Bounds, THE DAILY).
