The Buck Starts Here

Leaders in U.S. Sponsorship for 1997

$140 million-$145 million: Philip Morris Cos. - its companies Kraft Foods, Inc. and Miller Brewing Co. accounted for the increase in spending;

  • $130 million-$135 million: Anheuser-Busch Cos., which signed new deals with the Women's National Basketball Association and U.S. Skiing;
  • $110 million-$115 million: The Coca-Cola Co., which renewed for Total Olympic Package IV and added other international deals;
  • $90 million-$95 million: General Motors Corp., which in addition to its blockbuster USOC and Salt Lake City Winter Oympics deals, increased spending across the board;
  • $75 million-$80 million: PepsiCo, Inc., whose Pepsi-Cola brand pursued deals in soccer and other international sports;
  • $60 million-$65 million: Nike, Inc., which makes the largest leap and overtakes seven companies to become the sixth-largest spender;
  • $55 million-$60 million: AT&T and Eastman Kodak Co.;
  • $45 million-$50 million: Chrysler Corp., RJR Nabisco Inc.,McDonald's Corp. and IBM;
  • $40 million-$45 million: Sprint Corp., which added the Rolling Stones tour and Visa Int'l.

    Source: IEG