Superbowl ad slots sell out
The rise of sport as part of overall marketing is proven again with news that all TV ad spots for this year’s Superbowl were sold out over a month ago.  NBC Sports has put up the SOLD banner having attracted record interest.  30 second ads were selling for $3.5 million and this year there will be more of the longer 60 second spots.  Advertisers with Irish interests are said to include Volkswagen who debuted the ‘Darth Vader’ ad last year, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Bridgestone and Dannon who become the first Yoghurt makers to appear in the prized ad breaks.
Epsom loses roof in storms
Part of the roof on a stand at Epsom racecourse was torn off in high winds yesterday but management are saying there is no threat to the first meeting of the year in April.
Stevens joins Villa
Dubliner Enda Stevens has joined Aston Villa in one of the first moves of the January transfer window.  The former UCD, St Pats and lately Shamrock Rovers full back is an U21 international and joins a strong cast of Republic of Ireland players at the club.