A-B InBev VP/Consumer Connections Joao Chueiri "believes the sponsorship model is broken," and is currently "on a mission to revamp" how his company approaches sponsorships. ADWEEK's Kristina Monllos noted A-B InBev has "partnerships with many U.S. sports teams, as well as the MLB, NBA, NFL and PGA." Chueiri said, "We are now reshaping our sponsorship strategy -- moving from a focus on sports and music to a broader scope based on consumer passion points while also having a hyperlocal mindset" (ADWEEK.com, 11/27).
AWKWARD MOMENT: In Boston, Andrew Mahoney notes Giants 3B Pablo Sandoval "will be back in a Red Sox uniform" for '18 via a Red Sox calendar produced by Turner Licensing in Waukesha, Wis. The deadline for the calendar is "always the previous May," and in May of '17, Sandoval was "still a member of the Red Sox organization." Turner Licensing Senior Brand Manager Michelle Rand said that if a team has an "inkling that a certain player is not going to be with the organization the following season, they will give the company a heads-up ... and perhaps recommend another player." Sandoval appears in the month of April for the '18 calendar which is "available to order now" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/29).
STOOLIE SALE: DIGIDAY's Sahil Patel noted Barstool Sports held a Black Friday sale that ran through the weekend and "saw more than 35,000 orders, up from nearly 20,000 orders over last year." The sale offered 20% off the company's merchandise. Barstool CEO Erika Nardini "wouldn't give an exact figure but said it was in the 'single-digit millions' over the weekend." For the first time, Barstool Sports "created a catalog with 150 items." Nardini said that the premium line "sold out within 30 minutes" (DIGIDAY.com, 11/28).
