Lawsuits that seek to limit how companies promote themselves are of significant interest to the $400-billion promotions industry.
"If your object as a company is to increase your market share in a particular [demographic] segment, you're going to do things that are relevant to that particular market," said Claire Rosenzweig, president of the New York-based Promotion Marketing Assn.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday May 19, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 2 inches; 77 words Type of Material: Correction
Baseball promotions: An article in Tuesday's Sports section about the legality of some promotions sponsored by professional baseball teams incorrectly stated that Alfred Rava sued the nonprofit City Ballet of San Diego. The attorney sued Spreckels Theater and Theatrical Enterprises Inc., which own the venue where the ballet performs. The article also said that Rava reached an out-of-court settlement in a discrimination lawsuit involving several San Diego-area bar owners. The settlement was reached during the court proceeding.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday June 03, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 36 words Type of Material: Correction
Baseball promotions: A May 16 article in the Sports section incorrectly stated that attorney Alfred Rava received $125,000 from a settlement to a legal action. The settlement was awarded, but not entirely paid, to several plaintiffs.
"And platforms like sports teams are great ones because the consumers are already in the park. You're reaching them through something they really enjoy."
Given that the Angels, A's and Padres seem to be opening their promotions to all fans, hasn't Rava gotten what he and his clients wanted?
"We got one good result [in that] they stopped doing it," Rava said. "But that doesn't address the other remedy. We want the statuary damages for discriminating based on sex."
Oddly enough, the Angels' planned tote bag distribution on Sunday failed to materialize because the bags that were being shipped from an overseas manufacturer didn't arrive in time. Moms, dads and others who wanted a tote instead got vouchers that can be redeemed at a later date.
