Dos Equis, the official beer sponsor of the CFP, named Steve Spurrier "Head Beer Coach" and former LSU coach Les Miles as "Chief Lawn Officer." The brand unveiled new TV spots with the former coaches as the latest ads in their "Keep It Interesante" campaign. The series was created in collaboration with ad agency Droga5, N.Y. (Dos Equis).
STAYING PUT: In West Virginia, Joe Severino of the DAILY ATHENAEUM student newspaper noted WVU athletics will "continue its corporate partnership with Papa John's following internal discussions about whether to drop the company" after controversial comments made by Founder John Schnatter. WVU Senior Associate AD/External Affairs Matt Wells said that the school decided to keep Papa John's as a partner because of its "longstanding relationship with the local Papa John's franchises." Wells: "Our relationship dates back more than 20 years with the local franchisees" (THEDAONLINE.com, 8/27).
BIRD'S EYE VIEW: Goodyear will debut a new 30-second ad Saturday across games on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, which will motivate customers to "Be Blimpworthy." In a nod to the campaign, ESPN's Marty Smith and Ryan McGee will execute the first complete game streaming viewing option from inside the Goodyear Blimp during the Virginia Tech-Florida State game on Monday (Goodyear).
BULL MARKET: In Tampa, Margie Manning reported Valley National Bank will be the "season-presenting sponsor for the USF Bulls football program" starting this season. Valley National Bank had a "small presence" in the Tampa Bay area that "greatly expanded" with parent company Valley National Bancorp's Jan. 1 acquisition of USAmeriBank. Valley National Bank Exec VP & CMO Mark Fernandez said that the USF deal is "one way to roll out the brand to the market" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/28).
