REUTERS' Larry Fine noted Bridgestone has gone from a rookie IOC TOP sponsor to a "model for fan participation" following their Fan Zone at the Olympic Golf Course for the Rio Games and will try to "help other federations do likewise." Bridgestone set up a "demonstration area for fans unfamiliar with the game in golf's return to the Olympics, which proved to be a hit and impressed IOC officials." Bridgestone Americas VP/Sports & Events Marketing Phil Pacsi said, "The IOC, trying to do new and different things, allowed us to be one of the first experiments with having a demonstration as close to the field of play that we could, with consumer activation with the game. It worked great" (REUTERS, 3/21).
SHOP LOCAL: In Phoenix, Steven Totten noted the D-backs have "established more than 20 new partnerships with local companies in an effort to boost their own branding as well as that of the local business." Some of the partnerships include: Danzeisen Dairy, Four Peaks Brewing, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Smoothies and clothing brand State Forty Eight (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/21).
SHIRT SALE: The Cardinals and P Adam Wainwright, in cooperation with Wainwright's charitable organization, Big League Impact, have announced that the Cardinals Team Store at Busch Stadium will be the exclusive retail store for the recently launched "Waino's World" t-shirt. The shirt is being produced by St. Louis-based 108 Stiches (Cardinals).
