TV GUIDE MAGAZINE: and the Sci Fi Channel have partnered in a new promotion that offers 1.4 million downloads of a Battlestar Galactica episode through this week’s issue of TV Guide. Newsstand copies feature a unique 12-digit code on the cover, which readers can enter on the iTunes Music Store at iTunes.com.com to receive the free download.
NIKE: and the USA Basketball are teaming up for their first-ever multi-year agreement to make the footwear and apparel company a marketing partner and exclusive apparel outfitter of USA Basketball. Under the agreement, Nike will provide USA Basketball with new uniforms, warm-ups and practice gear for its events, including the 2006 World Championships and the 2008 Games in Beijing. Nike will also release a new line of USA Basketball merchandise, including uniforms, warm-ups, active wear, headwear and footwear for fans.
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS: has appointed Chad Waetzig to senior VP of marketing for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. In his new role Waetzig will oversee Sheraton’s worldwide marketing efforts, including leading research, analysis, strategy and execution for all brand-related marketing programs in advertising, promotions and brand partnerships. In addition, Waetzig will spearhead the marketing strategy supporting Sheraton’s new brand positioning on warm, comforting, connections. Previously, Waetzig served as senior VP, select service brand management for Marriott International, where he helped developed business strategies and brand action plans for Courtyard, SpringHill Suites and Fairfield Inn brands.
SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS: and Orange PCS, a European-based mobile communications company, announced a marketing campaign to deliver mobile music experiences to European customers via Sony Ericsson Walkman phones. The campaign includes integrating Christina Aguilera’s forthcoming single, album release and European tour. Orange customers will have access to exclusive mobile music content such as full-track downloads, remixes, unseen videos via streaming and download, ring tones, real tones and wallpaper.
FREIGHT TRAIN MEDIA, LLC: Cleveland, OH, is a new company that offers “rolling billboards” on the freight cars of the Florida East Coast Railway. The railway hugs the eastern seaboard of the Florida coastline. The cars will carry ad messages on both sides along with Operation Lifesaver Inc. public education messaging. The trains are up to 100 cars long with the sponsor’s message on each car.
SIDETRACK TECHNOLOGIES: Winnipeg, Manitoba, will introduce motion picture advertising on London’s Heathrow Express trains this summer. The technology, created by SideTrack, uses about 400 static, printed images that stretch about 1,500 feet along the tunnel walls and are animated into full motion by the speed of the passing train, in synch with a proprietary lighting system, creating a 15-second “television-like” commercial. SideTrack has similar displays in Boston, Mexico City, Monterrey and Rio de Janeiro.
WHEATIES BOXES: will sport Olympian speed skaters Apolo Anton Ohno and Joey Cheek commemorating their wins at the Winter Games last month. General Mills also will make a donation to Right to Play, the non-profit to which Cheek donated his $40,000 medal bonus earnings. The 18-oz. Wheaties boxes will hit store shelves in mid-March, continuing General Mills’ 70-year tradition of putting athletes on Wheaties packaging. “For an athlete, being on the Wheaties box is a quintessential honor,” Cheek said in a statement. Added Ohno: “Every young athlete strives to one day see himself on the Wheaties box. For me, this proves that all of the hard work and training has paid off.”
SYNERGY SPORTS: Ocean, NJ, promoted Jay Silva to assistant VP-account management; he had been project coordinator for the event marketing agency.
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