Loyalty Marketing

NBA legend Magic Johnson is the top-rated athlete when it comes to the business side of corporate endorsements in a survey by sports marketing agency TSE Sports & Entertainment. TSE's first annual "AB" (Athlete Buiness) ratings are calculated by surveys from 213 marketing executives who use athletes for corporate purposes.

Harp's Food launches a customer reward program driven by Pay By Touch.

Six Flags Inc. forms multi-year sponsorship and marketing alliance with Sara Lee Food & Beverage and Sara Lee Foodservice, divisions of Sara Lee Corporation, under which the two divisions will become a Six Flags Corporate Alliance Partner and Sara Lee's Ball Park brand will become the Official Hot Dog of Six Flags.

The Maytag brand recently conducted a nationwide search for the new Maytag repairman, the longest running real-life advertising character on network television.

Procter & Gamble's Pringles brand forms its first long-term partnership with an entertainment property in its 37-year history with FremantleMedia, co-producer and licensor of the hit television series, American Idol, in conjunction with show creator, 19 Entertainment.

Anheuser-Busch introduces 180 Red with Goji -- a new energy drink with a refreshing, slightly sweet cherry taste balanced with subtle tartness.

Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages (CSAB), whose brands include Dr Pepper, 7UP, Snapple, A&W Root Beer, Hawaiian Punch, Canada Dry, Mott's and numerous others, is working with MasterCard and USA Technologies to enable Dr Pepper and Snapple vending machines in Dallas, New York and Chicago to accept credit card payments.

New Year celebrations typically come with inspirational stories of resolutions and the expectation of heartwarming endings and goals achieved.