Only in America, as they say. Or in this case, on an American ship -- a big one, the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, to be exact.

The ultimate in cross-promotional sports events will unfold this evening as the NCAA takes a cue from the NFL and makes a much bigger deal out of its "opening day" than has been its previous custom. In a 7 p.m. game on ESPN that will pit Michigan State versus No. 1-ranked North Carolina on the custom-made court, there also will be lots of other key tilts and branding opportunities: Former Spartan Magic Johnson vs. former Tar Heel James Worthy. Coaches Izzo vs. Williams. Sponsors Coke Zero vs. Miller High Life. Obama vs. Osama. And Brooklyn Decker vs. -- well, there might not be a match.

The NCAA is really good at ginning up Americans' enthusiasm for basketball in the spring, with March Madness and all. But this represents the college game's biggest attempt yet to turn up the marketing booster rockets beneath a part of the hoops season that typically is pretty limp.Continue reading...

There’s little doubt that Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski – "Coach K" – is the man-among-boys brand in college basketball. His team made it once again to the NCAA's Final Four tournament, which will be played in Indianapolis at the end of this week.

But Tom Izzo, Michigan State University’s coach, clearly represents a college coach whose brand is on the rise.

And that was even before reports surfaced today that the University of Oregon plans to offer Izzo $4 million a year to leave the Spartans and become the highest-paid coach in college basketball. Phil Knight, founder and chairman of Nike, apparently is the man behind the move to get Izzo on board a relatively low-profile program and turn it into a perennial contender.Continue reading...

Paperless Post, Evite's most recent competitor, found a way to make money. [NY Times]

British Airways employees continue into the second day of their strike. [WSJ]

Old-school fruit drink Zarex is experiencing a comeback in the Northeast. [Boston Herald]

Since Disney purchased Marvel Entertainment, who truly owns the heroes? [NY Times]

Palm is doing so poorly with sales, it just wants to break even. [CNN Money]

Kmart posts a too-good-to-be-true coupon that is too good to be true. [Consumerist]Continue reading...