News Briefs
ALLSTATE: signed a multi-year deal to be the official insurance sponsor of NASCAR, and will become the first title sponsor of the Aug. 7 Brickyard 400, held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The sponsorship includes the auto, home and life insurance categories as well as mutual funds and retirement products. Allstate plans to activate the partnership with a number of yet to be announced local programming efforts, dedicated advertising and marketing initiatives.
VERIZON SUPERPAGES: Providence, RI, has included game pieces in its 2005 edition of its white pages and yellow pages books, dangling a chance to win the $2 million SuperPages Spending Spree contest. Players scratch off answers to four questions about the directory and mail in the game piece for the chance to win. Other prizes include a $10,000 spending spree and $25 SuperPages gift cards.
MILLER BREWING CO.: has extended its sponsorship agreement with the Carolina Panthers to 2010. The deal gives Miller the marketing rights to the team in the malt beverage category within North and South Carolina.
BANDAI CO. LTD: has appointed Deborah Cavallo to the new position of general manager of Bandai Canada. The appointment was made on April 18. In her new role, Cavallo oversees sales and marketing efforts for Bandai’s leading toy brands and properties in Canada, including Tamagotchi Connection. In addition, Cavallo works closely with Bandai America Incorporated managing Bandai’s strategic direction in North America.
LOEWS CINEPLEX ENTERTAINMENT CORP: has hired Sharon Sperber as the new director of national marketing. In the new position, Sperber oversees all national marketing efforts including developing circuit-wide promotional platforms (the Reel Moms program), helping create new promotions to drive attendance and fosting patron loyalty and generating revenue. Sperber, who was hired Feb. 23, reports to Paul Frankel, VP-marketing, Loews Cineplex Entertainment Corp.
KEDS CORP.: has extended its relationship with brand spokesperson Mischa Barton to include international rights for its marketing campaign. The agreement will expand Barton’s current role as the spokesperson for Keds worldwide and extend the relationship for another year. Keds has committed to a three-year contract with the actress from 2005 to 2007. As part of the agreement, Barton will appear in Keds print, TV and outdoor advertising, direct mail, in-store materials and online. In addition, Barton will make personal appearances on the brand’s behalf.
VERIZON WIRELESS: has signed a long-term agreement with Showtime Networks to carry its premium movie services. Under the agreement, Verizon will carry 11 Showtime Networks channels on Verizon FiOS TV when it launches later this year. The programming includes Showtime, The Movie Channel, TMC xtra and Flix brands plus high definition and video-on-demand. In addition, Showtime HD and The Movie Channel HD, will be available free to Showtime and The Movie Channel subscribers as part of Verizon’s extensive line-up of HD programming.
