Archive for May 7th, 2008

Univision and The Vidal Partnership today announced a groundbreaking soccer entertainment property, “El Juego Supremo” (The Ultimate Match). A high octane reality soccer competition series, “El Juego Supremo” marks the first Univision Network original branded soccer entertainment property. Nissan North America and Sprint are exclusive network sponsors. “El Juego Supremo,” scheduled to air in the fall on the Univision Network, will bring together five soccer legends from Mexico and five from the Americas, including the U.S. These legends will assemble and train a team of rookies. Two legends from each team will serve as the primary coaches, and each coaching team will give 10 talented amateur soccer players the opportunity of a lifetime.

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McDonald’s thinks consumers who try its new Southern Style Chicken Biscuits and Sandwiches will come back for more, so it’s giving them away on May 15–with the purchase of a medium or large beverage. “Full product sampling is a key component of the Southern Style Chicken launch,” says Marta Fearon, director of U.S. marketing at McDonald’s. “We believe that when consumers try it for breakfast, lunch or dinner, they will naturally come back for more. And we hope they will tell their friends.”

With the addition of the two new Southern Style chicken items to its menu, McDonald’s becomes the largest national restaurant chain to serve chicken at breakfast, says the fast-food giant.

The marketing support includes TV, radio, print, PR, email blast and online banners.

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Video search engine blinkx has launched a video content management service, which attempts to solve the myriad problems surrounding online video processing and delivery. Media companies already using the service include Conde Nast’s business publication Portfolio and personal finance magazine Kiplinger’s.
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NBC will announce next week that it wants $3 million for a 30-second spot during the 2009 Super Bowl, the Wall Street Journal reports. Though spots have gone for $3 mil in the past — typically in a desperate dash for one of the final vacancies — this is the first time that barrier has been cracked as a starting point.

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Isn’t it pretty? I’m still alarmed by the squareness of Obi-Wan’s beard though, even the Clone Trooper helmets have more softness. The poster has been released to herald the debut of the trailer, which will air May 8th simultaneously on Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, CNN and Boomerang. It will air at 7:58 in all U.S. time zones. According to the official Star Wars site (where the poster can be purchased and press release can be found), Amidala will be on the front lines alongside Anakin and Obi Wan, and we’ll also be introduced to Anakin’s Padawan, Ahsoka. Does it surprise anyone else they let him have a Padawan? Way to go, Jedi Academy.

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Volkswagen of America, Inc. last month moved into its new headquarters in Herndon, Va., just outside of Washington, D.C. Besides laying bricks and mortar, the company is also putting down sponsorship stakes. The company, late of Auburn Hills, MI, has signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Major League Soccer (MLS) team D.C. United. It has also signed a deal that makes it the official car of MLS. As part of that deal, VW gets MLS league and collective team marks and logos and marketing assets at league events such as the Pepsi MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup, Major League Soccer’s championship game. Major League Soccer comprises 14 teams in the U.S. and Canada.

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced today the appointment of Phil McAveety as chief brand officer. The 41-year-old senior executive will report to former Nike colleague Frits van Paasschen. Paasschen became president and CEO of the hotel chain in September 2007 after a stint at Coors Brewing, where he helped drive sales and profits as the company’s chief executive. Among other positions, McAveety spent nine years with Nike as vp-marketing for Nike Europe, Middle East and Asia.

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By iTVX Staff

According to various online sources, Larry King would support American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest as his successor. If Seacrest took the position when King’s contract expires, it would be another step toward Seacrest controlling the universe. He’ll be seen on radio, on New Year’s Eve specials, on Idol, and I can see it now….Seacrest lunchboxes, Seacrest smoothies, Seacrest pajamas, and Seacrest dolls where you poll the string, and it takes a jab at Simon.

MINUTES before he was to appear live on NBC on Saturday as the presenting sponsor of the Kentucky Derby, David C. Novak, the chief executive of Yum Brands, says he was in the dark.
He was waiting to enter the winner’s circle, crowded onto a staircase with his senior vice president, Jonathan Blum; the Kentucky governor; the chief executive of Churchill Downs; and all their wives. Just before they were about to step outside, the group was told to wait.

“We assumed there was some technical difficulty with the broadcast, because we didn’t hear anything,” Mr. Blum said.

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Chrysler is allowing consumers to play the futures game with a new promotion that supplies buyers of some new models with a card that lowers their fuel cost to $2.99 a gallon for three years. As part of the promotion, called “Let’s refuel America,” car buyers can register for the card via a Web site or a toll-free number. Once they receive the card, they’ll be able to use it at any eligible gas station to get lower price gas by entering a PIN number. The offer, which starts Wednesday, applies to 87 octane unleaded, E85 or diesel fuel only.

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