The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- June 21, 1999

Host to merge with Bull Run

W. James Host, chairman of Host Communications, Inc. (HCI), will serve as chairman of a new group that will be formed by a merger of HCI and Universal Sports America (USA) with the Atlanta-based Bull Run Corporation.

The merger is expected to be completed this summer, according to an HCI statement.

Charles L. (Chuck) Jarvie will chair the executive committee that will be responsible for new business development for the combined companies while Douglas L. Jarvie will serve as chief executive officer, overseeing the company's operation.

HCI and Bull Run have been the major shareholders in USA since 1995 when USA was established via a merger of HCI's University Division and Streetball International, USA's sports marketing and event production arm. The merger created USA's subsidiary, the USA Collegiate Group, which serves as a marketing partner for many college and conference athletics programs.

"We felt it was important to reinforce our commitment to intercollegiate athletics and to those corporations that have supported the NCAA championships and have administered aggressive marketing strategies through corporate partnerships and many other college activities," Host said.

HCI and USA also announced that a new division, Collegiate Sports Marketing, has been formed to focus solely on the advancement of corporate marketing for the NCAA and intercollegiate athletics overall.

Marc Kidd, an HCI staff member for 20 years, has been named president the Collegiate Sports Marketing division and will report directly to Host. His marketing team will include Joyce Myers (client development and service), Kelly Krauskopf (women's sports initiatives) and Tom McGrath (division administration).

"The new division will concentrate on all phases of corporate marketing in the intercollegiate community," Host said. "We will intensify our efforts to service and represent the NCAA, intercollegiate athletics and our current and future corporate partners."