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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030731/people_nm/health_levitra_ditka_dc_2Football Hero Ditka Hired in Impotence Ad Battle Thu Jul 31, 9:04 AM ET
By Jed Seltzer
NEW YORK (Reuters) - "As a professional football player and coach, "Iron" Mike Ditka was known for his toughness. Now he's being paid to show his sensitive side.
Bayer AG and GlaxoSmithKline Plc, the pharmaceutical companies, have hired Ditka to promote Levitra, their new impotence drug, in a campaign to encourage men to confront touchy health problems.
Every week, 120 million football fans will be inundated with television ads of Ditka touting the benefits of Levitra, which clinical trials have shown works faster than Viagra.
Earlier this month, the companies paid an undisclosed amount to be a sponsor of the National Football League. While the league would not provide details, published reports put the deal's value at $6 million per year, in addition to costs Bayer and Glaxo will pay to purchase advertising time on TV networks during the football season.
The agreement with Ditka is the first salvo in a fierce marketing battle between the companies and Pfizer Inc., the maker of Viagra."
Huh-huh-huh. They said 'salvo'. Huh-huh.
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