AB InBev Eyes $12 Billion Modelo Takeover

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, the world’s biggest brewer, is close to buying the remainder of Mexico’s Grupo Modelo SAB for more than $12 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

The purchase may be announced as soon as this week, said the person, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are confidential. The deal isn’t completed and may still fall through, the person said.

AB InBev, the Leuven, Belgium-based maker of Bud Light, has a non-controlling 50% share of Corona owner Modelo that it inherited after InBev NV bought U.S. brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. in 2008 for $52 billion, the biggest brewing deal ever. Brewers are among consumer-goods companies looking to expand outside of Europe as high unemployment and sluggish economies holds back growth.

“Modelo is the next best step AB InBev should make,” Gerard Rijk, an analyst at ING Groep NV in Amsterdam, wrote yesterday in an e-mail, saying it allows the company to profit from cost cutting. (www.adage.com)

Little Caesars Revives Famed ‘Pizza! Pizza!’ Ads

Get ready for a lot more “Pizza! Pizza!”

Little Caesars is launching its first national campaign in 15 years, once again putting its iconic “Pizza! Pizza!” tagline and Little Caesar character front and center.

Ed Gleich, senior VP-global marketing, who joined Little Caesars in October, said the chain is using national media to “amplify” the “Pizza! Pizza!” tagline. “We’re in every state, and it was time to tie media together,” he said, adding that it was a matter of “being efficient and getting more for our investment.” Local buys had been used when there was no national campaign.

The campaign, launching this week and created by BFG 9000, will include TV, radio and digital, as well as local print. Horizon Media handles media services. “It seems like everyone got really serious about pizza all of a sudden, talking about artisanal pizzas and apologizing for the way their pizza was made,” said Gerry Graf, founder and chief creative officer at BFG 9000. “But if you take a step back and look at pizza, it’s fun.” (www.adage.com)

Nestle Crunch Breaks Campaign for Girl Scout Candy Bars

Nestle Crunch’s first TV campaign in five years begins today for its just-launched Nestle Crunch Girl Scout candy bars.

The co-branded bars hit retail shelves on June 1 and are already popular with consumers — a pre-sale Facebook fan promotion in May sold out in less than 24 hours. But Nestle chose to break its traditional digital- and print-media advertising strategy and use TV to build faster recognition and sales.

“The fact that the bars are only available for a limited time meant we had to drive awareness very quickly,” said Cherry Joh, marketing manager at Nestle. The ad campaign, created by Dailey, Los Angeles, will run through August, and bars will be sold through September while supplies last.

The campaign is built around the All-American vibe of both products which was the original motivation for the partnership. Nestle Crunch’s red, white, and blue color scheme and heritage as an American candy since the ’30s fit with the Girl Scouts’ Americana image and sweet tradition of cookie sales, Ms. Joh said. “With two well-loved American brands, we focused [the marketing] on the reactions we experienced in our research which was an irresistibleness,” she said. “… People [were] saying, ‘Thanks for thinking of this, and putting my two favorite things together.’ ” (www.adage.com)

Best Buy Gets Back in the Game With New Tagline, Focus

Amid an executive exodus, a prolonged sales slump and increasing competition from rivals, Best Buy is trying to get back in fighting shape before the crucial back-to-school and holiday seasons.

For the past 18 months the U.S. marketing team, led by Drew Panayiotou, senior-VP marketing, has been working to reframe the retailer’s brand proposition. Now it’s ready to unveil its efforts. Best Buy’s new tagline, rolling out this summer, is “Making technology work for you.”

“Like many companies, eventually we have to turn marketing into profits and share — share in the right categories,” said Mr. Panayiotou. “Maybe we’re not getting a ton of credit for it right now, but it’s a brand that has all this upside on services and solutions.”

To that end, Best Buy began rolling out its first “connected stores” this month. The remodeled stores feature a “central knowledge desk” that offers services, support, training and classes and an expanded Geek Squad presence will be located at the front of the store. The stores focus on selling mobile phones, tablets and e-readers as well as their accompanying service plans. (www.adage.com)

Google Offers, Boingo Wireless Outfit NYC Subways With Free WiFi

Some folks get a little nutty when they lose their Internet connection, including New Yorkers stepping down into underground subway stations. Starting Monday some lucky New Yorkers will get to keep on streaming, as Google Offers is sponsoring more than 200 free Boingo Wireless-powered WiFi hotspots throughout New York City, including six subway stations, through August 31.

Google Offers and Boingo Wireless will be plastering signs around the various hot spots giving consumers the heads up about the free WiFi. Among the stations hosting WiFi are the A/C/E station at 8th Avenue and 14th Street, the F/M station at 6th Avenue and 14th Street and the L station at 6th Avenue and 14th Street.

Once a consumer enables WiFi on their smartphone (or tablet or laptop) and picks the Boingo network, they’ll come across a branded landing page to connect with the option to subscribe to Google Offers.

To better customize its offerings, Google is splicing NYC into three regions, so those WiFi freeloaders who elect to sign up for Offers at one of the SoHo hotspots will receive NYC Downtown offers. Those near Madison Square Garden will receive NYC Midtown offers. (www.adweek.com)

Storms Can’t Put a Damper on Travelers’ PGA Sponsorship

While play at the 2012 Travelers Championship was suspended this afternoon—a belt of torrential rain and thunderstorms lashed the northeast throughout the day, making golf untenable—the tournament’s title sponsor sees nothing but blue skies in its forecast.

Now its sixth year as the steward of what was once known as the Greater Hartford Open, Travelers has positioned the event as a means to generate money for various charity organizations. Each year, the tourney generates around $1 million for the likes of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the residential summer camp founded by the late Paul Newman for children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The camp is located in Ashford, Conn., some 45 miles up the road from Cromwell, Conn., home to the TPC River Highlands club and the Travelers Championship.

The title sponsorship makes Travelers one of a handful of companies that host a PGA Tour event in their own back yard.

“When we took this tournament over in 2007, we did a lot of research and found that golf is a very important game to those in the insurance business. Almost everyone plays,” says Andy Bessette, the evp and chief administrative officer at Travelers. “And having our own hometown tournament allows us to make a difference right here in the [Hartford] community.” (www.adweek.com)

Bank Of The West Continues Commitment As Title Sponsor Of The Bank Of The West Classic

Bank of the West today announced it has renewed its commitment as the title sponsor of the Bank of the West Classic, which will take place in Stanford, California from July 9 – 15, 2012.

The multiyear sponsorship continues through 2017, and will mark over 20 years that the bank has supported the world’s longest-running women’s professional tennis tournament. The Classic is in its 42nd year and is the first stop in the Emirates Airline U.S. Open Series, which begins after Wimbledon and concludes with the U.S. Open.

“Bank of the West is proud to be the sponsoring organization that brings professional women’s tennis to the San Francisco Bay Area,” said Maura Markus, president and chief operating officer at Bank of the West. “The Bank of the West Classic with these remarkable athletes is a venue that allows us to reflect the same values that are at the core of our relationships with customers – excellence and performance. The Bay Area has been home to this iconic tennis tournament since 1971 and we’re pleased to be a part of the Classic’s history and to continue a long tradition that marks our commitment and involvement in the community.”

Highlighting the 2012 Bank of the West Classic player field will be 13-time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams returning to defend her title, 2009 Bank of the West Classic Champion Marion Bartoli, and the 2011 U.S. Open semi-finalist Angelique Kerber. This year, the Bank of the West Classic will also host a series of exhibition matches featuring tennis legends Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Michael Chang. (www.sponsorship.com)

AT&T To Sponsor Harlem’s Legendary Entertainers Basketball Classic

Today, AT&T* and Entertainers Basketball Classic (EBC) announced an official sponsorship agreement for the 2012 tournament at Rucker Park that will enhance the visitor experience at one of the city’s premier sporting events. Each Wednesday during the regular season will be “AT&T Day” at the street ball tournament, which has hosted elite college and pro basketball players throughout its history.

On AT&T Days, the company will provide fans with various off-court activities such as a tablet arcade, a t-shirt printing station where fans can receive nicknames just like the players do during games and on-site device demos. Fans can also take advantage of year-round free Wi-Fi service at the park. Wi-Fi came to Rucker last week as part of AT&T and the Bloomberg Administration’s initiative to bring Wi-Fi to parks across all 5 boroughs.

“This tournament is a hallmark summer event in New York City where the best players from around the country come to compete,” said Tom DeVito, AT&T vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. “AT&T is proud to be part of this legendary tournament and support the park, players and fans. Our support of EBC is part of AT&T’s continued commitment to the diverse communities we serve.”

“It’s our pleasure to partner with a brand that gets it, like AT&T,” said Greg Marius, EBC CEO and Founder. “What we do in the community during these hard times is essential to help people push through the summer with a smile on their faces. The attending celebrities and players are all a part of the Entertainers Basketball Classic experience; provided absolutely free to the public. AT&T’s generosity and support helps keep it that way!” (www.sponsorship.com)

Petsecure Is A Pet Pals Sponsor For Paws In Motion With The Winnipeg Humane Society

Petsecure is a Pet Pals sponsor of Paws in Motion with the Winnipeg Humane Society. Held Sunday, June 24 at the Assiniboine Park, Lyric Theatre, the pledged walk raises funds to support the thousands of animals that the Winnipeg Humane Society cares for each year.

As a Pet Pals Sponsor, Petsecure will have a booth present at the walk, providing helpful information about pet health insurance.

“We look forward to being a part of Paws in Motion,” said Petsecure’s Vice President of Business Development Bill Skubovius. “The Winnipeg Humane Society looks after thousands of animals a year, and as strong believers in responsible pet ownership, we’re happy to contribute to and support such a worthy organization”.

“The community needs the Winnipeg Humane Society now more than ever – because nearly 9,000 animals a year need us. The good work we do is made possible because of the support we receive from Manitobans and organizations like Petsecure,” stated Bill McDonald, Winnipeg Humane Society CEO. (www.sponsorship.com)

Sony Puts Spotlight on Its New Smartphone

LIKE many cellphone vendors, Sony is marketing its latest phone with an emphasis on everything but its original purpose: talking.

Instead the company is using the American introduction of its Xperia Ion to highlight the entertainment experiences a person can have using the device, like playing video games and watching movies.

Since Sony is also an entertainment company, the Xperia Ion ad campaign is an opportunity to highlight Sony-owned content like the coming Spider-Man movie, music by the group Matt and Kim, and PlayStation video games. The device, a 4G LTE Android phone, will be available through AT&T and will cost $99.99.

“This is not just about launching a device,” said Peter Farmer, the vice president for marketing for Sony Mobile in North America. “It’s about establishing credibility and visibility for Sony in the smartphone space.” (www.nytimes.com)

Country Stars Back Purina Dog Chow

Grammy-nominated country duo Thompson Square is teaming up with Purina Dog Chow Brand Dog Food to focus on the special moments families have with their dogs.

The husband-and-wife musicians experience their special dog moments on the road, touring the country with their puppy, Etta, a miniature Schnauzer and Yorkshire Terrier mix.

“We are a proud dog family,” said Shawna Thompson of Thompson Square in a release. “We couldn’t think of a better way to join the community of dog owners, knowing how much a dog would bring to our lives in every situation, from being on a cross-country music tour, to simply spending time at home with family.”

Through a new tab created on the Purina Dog Chow brand’s Facebook page, dog lovers can now visit “Dog Families Know,” a new community within a community, and share their own unique family moments about their dog’s impact on their family. Users can post stories, photos and videos.

A new topic will be proposed each week through July 31 that dog families can relate to. For every unique story, photo or video tacked onto the virtual community board — via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook – St. Louis-based Purina will donate $1, up to $25,000, to Patriot Rovers, Inc., helping support its mission to “Save Dogs, Help Soldiers and Honor Heroes.” In addition, one photo will be selected each week as the Purina Dog Chow Facebook cover photo. (www.mediapost.com)

Boost Mobile Launches WNBA Ad

Boost Mobile, the first-ever marquee partner of the WNBA, is launching a new TV spot based on a new campaign entitled “It’s All About the W.” The ad first airs on June 23, during the Chicago Sky versus Minnesota Lynx game. The motivational ad touts Boost Mobile and the WNBA working together to motivate, blaze new trails and challenge conventional thinking.

This new spot features in-game footage, with a voiceover talking about inspirational words that begin with “w.” It will air during nationally televised WNBA games on ESPN and ESPN2 throughout the season, and the spot will be updated in the upcoming weeks with additional WNBA game footage, per a joint release on the campaign.

Boost Mobile right now is the league’s most prominent national marketing partner, with its logo on the front of the game jerseys of 11 WNBA teams, including the Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Seattle Storm, Tulsa Shock, and Washington Mystics.

Boost is also the Presenting Partner of the WNBA Playoffs and The 2012 WNBA Performance Awards presented by Boost Mobile. The 2012 WNBA Performance Awards presented by Boost Mobile is a series, currently in its first season, that also includes the WNBA Players of the Month presented by Boost Mobile and four of the WNBA’s most prestigious year-end honors: WNBA Most Valuable Player presented by Boost Mobile, WNBA Defensive Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, WNBA Sixth Woman presented by Boost Mobile, and WNBA Most Improved Player presented by Boost Mobile. (www.mediapost.com)