The Pelicans officially unveiled their Smoothie King arena naming-rights deal "in a festive news conference on Thursday, where free smoothies were offered," according to John Reid of the New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE. Shortly after the news conference ended, crews began "putting up new Smoothie King logo signs" at the arena. The entrance at the arena for next week’s NBA All-Star Weekend "will feature two 20-foot high Smoothie King cups." The company’s logo also will "go up on the roof of the arena and it will operate two concession stands for all events at the facility." Pelicans Owner Tom Benson said, "Nothing like this has happened in New Orleans before where two companies get together and we’re going to broadcast this all over the world. Here’s a local company that’s international and this is just another big plus for New Orleans and our state" (NOLA.com, 2/6). Pelicans co-Owner & Vice Chair Rita Benson LeBlanc said the arena's new name denotes "a healthy and active lifestyle." In Baton Rouge, Ted Lewis writes, "When's the last time a product coming out of New Orleans was touted that way?" Lewis: "So what if it's the Smoothie King Center? ... The point is, this was a good deal all around." Smoothie King wants to "expand its brand in this country" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 2/7). Smoothie King Owner & CEO Wan Kim said that he "couldn't think of a better way to fulfill Smoothie King's goal of tripling in size in the next five years." Kim: "This is a great opportunity for us to grow our brands domestically and internationally" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 2/7).
