The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Vranica & Perlberg note marketers have been "moving money, gradually but measurably, away from TV and into digital outlets that promise sophisticated ad targeting and the ability to reach audiences that are eschewing traditional television." But some TV execs are "going on the offensive, reminding advertisers of the problems that lurk in the digital ad ecosystem." They "point to bogus Web traffic boosted by computerized bots, and growing concerns over the lack of 'viewability' of online ads that appear on parts of websites that make them undetectable to the human eye." Sources said that ESPN is among "those that have been making this case." ESPN President of Global Customer Marketing & Sales Ed Erhardt said, "What we are saying is ESPN’s digital properties are clean and well-lit places that have great content. That message is resonating right now because there clearly is some re-evaluating going on by advertisers and buyers because of what is going on in some parts of the digital ecosystem" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/29).
SOCK IT TO ME: Warriors G Klay Thompson said he has a “lot of say” into the design of the socks from Stance, the company he recently signed with as an endorser. Thompson: “They’ve got some cool designs. They’ve got the throwback. ... I'm excited to be with them and build a foundation with Stance.” CSN Bay Area’s Jim Kozimor noted Stance will be the "official sock of the NBA starting next year" and Thompson's socks "will be online with them.” Thompson said of signing endorsement deals, "You want to take them; it's easy money, so of course. You take as many as you can. But it's cool just to build a brand with something you believe in" ("Yahoo Sports Talk Live,” CSN Bay Area, 4/28).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: In Boston, Gayle Fee reports Patriots WR Julian Edelman and TE Rob Gronkowski recently "had some fun with fruit at a photo shoot for FNV, a new campaign to promote fresh fruit and veggies by first lady Michelle Obama's Partnership for a Healthier America." Their teammates, WRs Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell, CB Devin McCourty, G Dan Connolly and DEs Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich "joined other celebrity endorsers" such as Panthers QB Cam Newton. The campaign aims to "push healthy foods with the same fervor as 'big consumer brands'” (BOSTONHERALD.com, 4/29).
NOTES: Reliant and its parent company, NRG, today announced a partnership with Texans DE J.J. Watt (Reliant)....Beats By Dre on Monday tweeted a picture of NFL Draft prospect QB Marcus Mariota and wrote, “Welcome to the family, Marcus. This is just the beginning. #ohana” (TWITTER.com, 4/27).
