Target is a "major sponsor" for this year’s MLB All-Star Game and a "slew of events" leading up to Tuesday's game, including the retailer’s All-Star Concert this weekend and the baseball activity themed "Target on the Plaza," according to Kavita Kumar of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Target also is "sponsoring a 4,800-square-foot pop-up store in the 'fan activation' area" near Target Field that will sell MLB merchandise. The company in March announced its one-year sponsorship with MLB, and has since been "planning and launching events to promote" the All-Star Game, as well as its "own initiatives." Former MLBers Ernie Banks and Tony Oliva have "made guest appearances at Target’s school library makeover events, bolstering the retailer’s philanthropic efforts in education." Target also plans to "celebrate 30 teachers selected from its All-Star teachers campaign." During the game, Target will run spots on Fox that will "highlight the retailer’s back-to-school buy-one, give-one promotion on select school supplies." The retailer has been "selling All-Star Game-themed jerseys, shirts and hats in about 15 Target stores in the Twin Cities." Baseball HOFers Cal Ripken Jr. and Ozzie Smith on Monday will "swing by Target Center where hundreds of Target employees will be assembling school-supply kits for children who can’t afford them." Other events Target is sponsoring include a "free movie night this Friday at Target Field Station where 'Sandlot' and 'Moneyball' will be screened" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/10).
PROGRAMS! GET YER PROGRAMS! MLB and MLBAM for the first time have developed a digital version of the traditional All-Star Game program. The joint interactive effort will include a portion of the content from the regular print edition, but will be supplemented by on-demand videos and interactivity not possible in the print format. The digital program will be embedded as a free offering within the existing MLB.com At Bat and At The Ballpark mobile apps, and available on the Apple iOS and Android platforms. The effort may ultimately grow into a standalone offering available for purchase, but for now remains within the apps (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
