Gillette Announces Global Partnership with EA Sports

Tiger Woods joined two of his partners,Gillette, the world's leading grooming brand, and EA SPORTS, the world's leading sports interactive entertainment brand and a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. , on Wednesday to announce a global partnership that will create a variety of co-promotional marketing opportunities focused on similar male consumers. This will include joint online marketing efforts in more than 20 markets in North America, Latin America, Western Europe and Asia that will leverage the Xbox 360® LIVE and EA SPORTS in-game environments. Joining Tiger Woods for the announcement in New York City were Peter Clay, Vice President, Gillette Grooming, and Peter Moore, President, EA SPORTS.


"Gillette and EA SPORTS represent the best in grooming and gaming, and this partnership is a natural extension of our ongoing efforts to engage guys through their competitive nature and their passions, including sports," said Peter Clay. "We'll be working together to reach consumers with unique programs such as the Gillette -- EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming, a global tournament that will offer gamers the opportunity to compete against the best in the world and then take on the Gillette Champions and other sports legends to see if they have what it takes to be the best."

Gillette and EA SPORTS are leaders in industries favored by male consumers that have witnessed considerable growth in recent years. Both companies share the same strategic target -- guys 18-34 years old -- as well as a rich history of technological innovation, competition and connecting with guys through their passion for sports.

The Gillette -- EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming -- the world's largest multi-sport gaming tournament -- will officially launch in late October and provide gamers the opportunity to compete against others from around the world for the chance to be named a Global Champion of Gaming. The live global finals will be conducted in Tampa, Florida, in January 2009, with the Global Champions in each gaming category competing against one of the Gillette Champions -- Gillette's group of global sports superstars that includes Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Derek Jeter. Gamers will be able to play via Xbox 360 LIVE on Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 09, NASCAR® 09, Madden NFL 09, NBA LIVE 09 and EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA Soccer 09. More information about the Gillette -- EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming will be available after October 15, 2008, at www.gillette.com.

"I'm proud of my association with both Gillette and EA SPORTS because they represent what it means to be at the top of your game," said Tiger Woods. "This program will give guys the chance to play games at the highest level possible, which is always exciting. To be the best at anything is an amazing feat."

"We're excited about this terrific new partnership between EA SPORTS and Gillette," said Peter Moore, president of EA SPORTS. "Joining Gillette to present such an ambitious global gaming tournament as the Gillette -- EA SPORTS Champions of Gaming is great news for sports fans and works to continue the globalization of our brand. We anticipate that there will be some very fierce competition taking place around the world on some of our most popular franchises. To then give the gaming champions the chance to battle their heroes from the real-world of sports is a sports fan's dream come true."

Breaking: De La Hoya to Fight Pacquiao in December

Ten-times world champion Oscar De La Hoya will fight WBC lightweight world champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines in December.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, told a teleconference the fight would take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Dec. 6.

De La Hoya, 35, had said he would make just one more bout before retiring from the sport but on Thursday he refused to confirm this would be his final fight.

"My focus is on my training and my next fight. I am not going to talk about retirement," De La Hoya said when asked directly if this would be his last.

"I am going to give 100 percent of my focus to this fight and then we will see after the fight," he added.

"Let's just say my foot got caught in the door," he added.

Negotiations for the fight had previously broken down over the division of the purse but neither Schaefer nor Pacquiao's promoters Top Rank would discuss the financial terms.

The bout will be a 12-round, non-title fight contested at the 147-pound welterweight limit.

The 5 foot 10 De La Hoya will a significant height advantage over the 5 foot 6.5 Pacquiao but the 29-year-old Filipino believes he can win through greater speed.

"I'm faster and younger and I think I can beat him, it is going to be a great fight," he said.

De La Hoya accepted that he was going to have to fasten up his fighting in training.

"I have to find a away to increase my speed in the ring, I have quite a task in front of me," he said.

De La Hoya, born in Los Angeles to Mexican parents, rose to fame by winning a gold medal for the United States in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and won the nickname "Golden Boy" for his good looks and wholesome image.

He won professional acclaim by defeating Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez in 1996 and has won championships at six weight classes. At age 35 he has a record of 39-5 with 30 knockouts.

The American said he was not concerned about a possible defeat taking the shine off his career.

"I think my legacy is already cemented, you can't take away what I have achieved in the ring," he said.

De La Hoya is the highest grossing boxing attraction in PPV history having generated 12.8 million buys translating into revenue of some $626 million, according to HBO PPV officials. That total includes the record 2.4 million buys for his May 5, 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather, which generated 134.4 million dollars.

A four-division champion, Pacquiao has also left his mark on PPV coffers. His trilogy against Erik Morales connected on over 1 million buys.

“It is important for boxing that at least once a year there is a matchup that truly transcends the sport, which captures the imagination of sports fans everywhere, and has everyone buzzing,” said HBO PPV chief Mark Taffet. “De La Hoya-Pacquiao is that matchup for 2008. It is a battle of kings -- the pay-per-view king De La Hoya versus the pound-for-pound king Pacquiao -- and features two of the biggest and most popular stars in boxing today.”

The bout highlights what should be a big fourth quarter that features a pair of other HBO PPV cards: Kelly Pavlik-Bernard Hopkins from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Joe Calzaghe-Bernard Hopkins from Madison Square Garden in New York.


Source: Multichannel News, Reuters

Phelps to Host "Saturday Night Live"

Michael Phelps will make his acting debut on the 34th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live."

Phelps will host the sketch comedy series when it begins its new season September 13 with musical guest Lil Wayne.

Also, Phelps is a guest on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on September 8, and NBC picked up the broadcast rights to the 2009 World Swimming Championship, in which Phelps will compete.

Wheaties for Liukin and Clay

Golden Valley-based General Mills Inc. will issue a special-edition commemorative package in honor of American gymnastics and decathlon medalists, Nastia Liukin and Bryan Clay.

Liukin won five medals in Beijing, including individual gold in the all-around, silver in the uneven bars and balance beam, and bronze in the floor exercise.

Clay became the first American since Dan O’Brien in 1996 to win gold in the decathlon.

The Beijing Olympics’ top gold medalist — U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps, with a record 8 — will appear on cereal boxes of General Mills rival Kellogg Co. of Battle Creek, Mich. He was on the Wheaties box after the 2004 Olympics.

The 15.6-ounce Wheaties box will be available in September across the United States.

Brazil Behind Schedule for 2014 World Cup

The president of SINAENCO, a Brazilian architectural and engineering association, says the government must improve its efforts or risk losing investment and the chance at hosting future events.

"Brazil is more than a year behind," Jose Roberto Bernasconi said Tuesday at SINAENCO's annual meeting. "The authorities have to get involved."

Bernasconi says the World Cup will "promote Brazil and attract more investment in the future." But all that is at risk if construction deadlines are not met.

Brazil hosted the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro last year without major glitches. Brazil is bidding for the 2016 Olympics, which also would take place in Rio.

Defending Champion Manchester United to Play Celtic in Champions League

Defending champion Manchester United will face British rival Celtic in the group stage of the Champions League.

United will also meet Villarreal and Aalborg in the 32-team phase, which begins next month.

Chelsea will play against AS Roma, Bordeaux and newcomer CFR Cluj.

Five-time champion Liverpool was drawn alongside PSV Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid and Marseille.

Juventus has a tough return to the lucrative competition after a two-year absence. The Italians will have to overcome nine-time champion Real Madrid, UEFA Cup winner Zenit St. Petersburg and debutante BATE.

Two-time champion FC Barcelona will meet Sporting, FC Basel and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Calgary and Edmonton to Co-host 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship

Hockey Canada has scheduled what it calls a "major press conference" for both Calgary and Edmonton Thursday, in which the organization is expected to announce that the two cities will co-host the 2012 world junior hockey championship.

It will be the first time as host for Alberta's two largest cities, although both received games during the 1995 world junior tournament that was held in Red Deer.

The Calgary-Edmonton bid won out over a competing bid from Toronto. Canada has won a medal at 10 consecutive IIHF world junior championships, including four consecutive gold medals (2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008).

Group Trying to Bring CFL Back to Ottawa

The group trying to bring CFL football back to Ottawa by 2010 will make its proposal to city staff for a redeveloped Lansdowne Park in mid- September.

"We're putting a full-court press together," said front-man Jeff Hunt. "There has been a misconception that our proposal is only about CFL football, but it is much broader than that."

Hunt was referring to a poll published this week that suggested 48% of Ottawans don't want the stadium maintained for a new CFL franchise. The poll also suggested that 69% of respondents preferred an "urban oasis to showcase the waterway, farmers markets and community events," and 46% liking the idea of a creating a centre for arts and entertainment.

Hunt said simply maintaining Frank Clair Stadium for football was never part of his proposal, and given the choice, who wouldn't want an "urban oasis?"

"Our proposal combines elements of all the choices," he said. "Fixing up Frank Clair Stadium is not limited to football any more than Scotiabank Place has been limited to Senators hockey."
Hunt would not get into specific details about the proposal until he delivers it to city staff, but his vision is that Lansdowne Park becomes a venue that would appeal to sports fans and non-sports fans, and not just during a sporting event, but any time during the week.

"It has to be a must-visit attraction when you come to Ottawa -- the Parliament buildings, the canal and Lansdowne Park. The kind of place where you bring friends from out of town to see."

That is sure to include retail shops, restaurants, bars and a venue for arts and entertainment. And rest assured, Hunt said, the farmers markets and community events would not be affected by his proposal.

"I think the Glebe will love it, it will enhance living in the Glebe," said Hunt, who also owns the 67's junior hockey team.

The CFL in Ottawa dates back to Confederation with the Rough Riders. The team folded in 1997 and returned as the Renegades in 2002. After four seasons of financial losses, the Renegades were suspended before the 2006 season. Last spring, the CFL awarded the Ottawa franchise to Hunt and his group, providing they redevelop Frank Clair Stadium.

"Our group got together to figure out what would make CFL football successful in Ottawa like it is in so many other markets," Hunt said. "What has evolved is it became a solution for Lansdowne Park.

"If there are 10 reasons why football hasn't worked, seven or eight of them have to do with the facility. Today, people have an expectation of what a pro sports experience should be like and that's not the case at Frank Clair Stadium."

He compared it to other business models.

"If you were trying to have a restaurant in Ottawa and had a dilapidated interior, rickety chairs and just a scuzzy environment, even if you had five-star food, it probably wouldn't succeed."

Hunt said the Senators have "raised the bar for what a pro sports experience should be," and he wants football fans to have that same feeling.

His meeting next month with city staff will give him an indication of how close he is to making that happen.

Source: Ottawa Sun

NFL Considers Longer Regular Season

The National Football League (NFL) is considering reducing the pre-season to two or three games per team and lengthening the regular season to 17 or 18, up from the current 16. This is about time. There are so many injuries that have taken place in games that meant absolutely nothing. The New York Giants just lost a defensive star in a trivial game and every team is weary of losing there star quarterback.


The adjustment needs to be made and hopefully very soon. According to the Washington Post consent for the change is growing amongst NFL leaders. Also, it has a lot to do with television rights. Currently, NFL games bring in approximately $3.7 billion per season in deals with US networks, NBC, Fox, CBS, ESPN and DirecTV.


The move would be popular with fans because these games are quite boring compared to the regular season. For instance, the starters are taken out after a quarter of play or a few snaps at the very least. Further, the move will gain support of NFL players because they are not paid during pre-season play. The players are paid in 17 installments during the regular season.

Campbell Soup Cans NFL Moms

Campbell Soup is canning the moms.

For the past six years, the company has been running a well-received series of ads for its "Chunky" soup that feature National Football League greats and their mothers calling them inside for dinner and serving them soup.

But starting with this NFL season, those moms will be riding the bench. The reason for the change? Campbell Soup says its new research has revealed that the company's target consumers -- men in their 30s -- are finally achieving soup independence.

Another possible factor: Chunky is slumping. While sales of the smaller "healthy" line of Chunky soups more than tripled in 2007, to $56 million, that wasn't enough to make up for a 9 percent drop, to $393 million, in Chunky's main soup line, according to Information Resources, a Chicago market research firm. (Those figures exclude sales at Wal-Mart Stores, Chunky's largest retailer.)

By reshaping its message -- the new ad campaign tries to highlight the similarities between one of the NFL's top running backs and workaday male soup eaters -- Campbell risks tinkering with success.

The "Mama's Boys" campaign has been spoofed on "Saturday Night Live," referenced repeatedly on sports highlight shows, and even spawned the "Chunky Soup Curse," after several players who starred in the ads suffered major injuries. The campaign, from Young & Rubicam, also distinguished Chunky in an advertising landscape with no shortage of brands using athletes to appeal to men.

Wilma McNabb, mother of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb and one of the first NFL moms to appear in the ads, took the news stoically. "We moms are kind of behind the scenes anyway," she said Tuesday.

In the early iterations of the ads, which began airing in 1997, NFL luminaries such as John Elway and Terrell Davis appeared with actresses playing their mothers. After Mr. McNabb starred in a Chunky ad with his faux mother, his real mother announced in 2001 that she could play herself just fine, thanks. And so she did, beginning in 2002. Since then, only real mothers have appeared in the ads.

Last season, Campbell signed its largest contingent of NFL stars and their moms to appear in the campaign. Those ads featured eight players playing a four-on-four pickup game in the rain and snow, and then returning home to mom for a bowl of soup.

The new campaign, dubbed "Working Day," features San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. In one of the series of five ads, which debut when the NFL season kicks off on Sept. 4, Mr. Tomlinson is shown in action on the field as a voice-over describes his job in blue-collar terms.

"Another grueling day on the job," the ad begins. "You're dying to get out of those work clothes. You're hungry. You take a can of Chunky soup. You think about your day. Was I productive? Did I do right by my boss?"

"LaDainian Tomlinson doesn't need his mom to tell him which products have protein and which products don't," said Douglas Brand, brand manager for Chunky soup. "He's learned that for himself, and we've learned our consumers want to do that for themselves as well." The new campaign, in which ads tout the "lean meat protein" in Campbell's Chunky soups, includes print, radio, online and outdoor posters.

Last fall, as part of their research for the campaign, members of Campbell's marketing team visited more than 100 customers in Baltimore, Detroit, Seattle and Milwaukee. They went into their homes and collected information about their relationship to the product.

The fieldwork, conducted with the market-research firm Hall & Partners, showed that customers were ready for a more empowering message than the one sent by images of grown men heeding the call of their mothers, Mr. Brand says. Besides, 11 years is a long time for one campaign, says James Caporimo, creative director at Young & Rubicam, which is owned by WPP Group. "We got a sense they were open to a different approach," says Mr. Caporimo, who left open the possibility that the moms will return for future seasons.

One advantage for Campbell with the new campaign is that it now has only one player on its payroll, compared with a roster of stars from last year that included Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs, Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears and Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Campbell spent $42 million on ads for Chunky soup in 2006 and $49 million in 2007, according to TNS Media Intelligence.

Though the moms are off the air, Campbell isn't totally abandoning the theme. As part of the new campaign, 35 mothers of NFL players will appear on behalf of the Camden, N.J., company to raise food donations for Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.

Source: Wall Street Journal

CFL and Reebok Announce New Deal

The Canadian Football League and Reebok Canada announced a new five-year deal on Tuesday.

"We're thrilled to extend and enhance our partnership with Reebok, one of our most important and visible partners," CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon said at a news conference at Reebok's flagship store at the Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre, north of Toronto.

"Aligning ourselves with a partner that excels on the field, in the marketplace, and around the world speaks volumes about the strength of our brand and Reebok's commitment to our country and our league."

The money involved in the deal was not disclosed, but both sides confirmed it was seven-figures annually, and that Reebok would be the exclusive supplier of uniforms and sideline apparel for the league.

"The CFL agreement is extremely important to Reebok because of the profile of the CFL in Canada," said Craig Ryan, Reebok's Vice-President/General Manager Sport Licensed Division Canada. "The CFL helps us strengthen our position as the key brand of professional sports leagues in North America. It enhances the image of the Reebok brand and reinforces the performance credentials of our products."

The partnership agreement also includes: An expanded presence for CFL Reebok merchandise in retail stores, increasing its availability to fans; increased royalty revenue for the CFL; annual marketing initiatives featuring licensed merchandise including uniforms; and enhanced supply of product to member clubs.

The announcement came the same day the CFL launched its Retro Week Initiative, which will feature classic uniforms and other tributes to the league's long and rich history.

Retro Week starts with the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers paying tribute to the 1950's during their game on September 12. Othrt teams and eras will be showcased over the next five years, with throwback uniforms provided by Reebok, and sideline apparel designed by Roger Edwards.

"This agreement with Reebok represents a core building block of our business. It's a strong fit for the CFL brand, with a company known for innovative design, superb quality and tremendous integrity," said Cohon.

"The winners in this deal are our fans, our clubs and the thousands of Canadians who care deeply about the future of our league."

Source: TSN

MLB Holds Tryouts in Ontario

The Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau is holding three open tryout camps in Ontario this week.

Canadian supervisor Walt Burrows, back from the Beijing Olympics after helping scout for the national baseball team, will run camps in Courtright on Tuesday, Welland on Wednesday and Toronto on Thursday.

Burrows says he generally identifies a previously unknown player or two.

Interested players can find more details and a waiver form at www.mlb.com.