Elk Grove Village (Ill.), which bought title sponsorship for the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, saw "nearly 20 mentions" of the formal bowl name during Friday's ESPN telecast, while there were also six commercials "promoting the business park" in the Chicago suburb, according to Christopher Placek of the Chicago DAILY HERALD. As the game began, sideline reporter Laura Rutledge made specific reference to the "Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl," which the announcers are "contractually obligated to do." The bowl logo, "featuring the 'Makers Wanted' slogan nestled in between two palm trees," was on the 50-yard line, while "separate 'Makers Wanted Elk Grove Village Illinois' logos" were on the 25-yard lines. Similar banners were "on the sidelines behind team benches." Smaller sideline signs featured "Makers Wanted" and Elk Grove-based Stern Pinball, which "gave Pinball machines to each team" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 12/22). Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson in a special to the DAILY HERALD wrote the sponsorship was an "incredible venture for the community." The exposure was "far better than we expected" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 12/22).
15 MINUTES OF FAME: In Chicago, Robert Sanchez noted Elk Grove residents gathered at a local bar for a viewing party that was a "celebration" of the title sponsorship. The party "featured green, yellow and blue balloons -- the Bahamas Bowl colors -- for the crowd that numbered roughly 150 at kickoff." Touchdowns and big plays "largely went unnoticed by the partygoers, but they erupted in cheers and applause when commercials promoting Elk Grove were aired." Elk Grove Trustee Chris Prochno said that the party was an "opportunity for residents and business leaders to enjoy the village's moment in the national spotlight" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 12/22).
