The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Steven Perlberg notes DraftKings is "launching a new ad campaign to gin up fan interest" as the '15-16 NFL season gets under way. The new advertisements, "voiced by actor Edward Norton," first aired Sunday on Fox during Texans-Saints. Under the slogan “welcome to the big time,” the ads "depict DraftKings users transfixed as they adjust their line-ups, or in fits of joy as their respective players perform well." DraftKings CEO & co-Founder Jason Robins said that spending on advertising as the regular season begins "is important in hooking people on DraftKings early." The company also "makes a marketing push during the middle of the season, as people’s teams in private leagues with their friends begin to underperform." The five new ads voiced by Norton "were made by Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners, DraftKings’ new ad agency." DraftKings said that more ads "will appear later in September" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/31).
SCHILL-BIDDING: In N.Y., Claire Atkinson noted Airbnb has "overturned its call and tossed" ESPN's Curt Schilling from a Sept. 2 “sleepover” at Fenway Park. A company spokesperson said, "We have ended our partnership with him, effective immediately. Our partnership with the Red Sox and our Night At Fenway Park event will move forward as planned" (N.Y. POST, 8/30).
GIRL POWER: In Philadelphia, Dan Norton reported USWNT F Carli Lloyd "recently teamed up with Xfinity to advertise its Triple Play Bundle package for TV, Internet and Phone" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/28).
