Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Co. is also playing ball, today announcing a marketing partnership with the Texas Rangers. This marks the company's second deal with major league baseball this year. The first one was announced in February with the Oakland A's.

The exposure provided by this latest deal should be significantly better than the first. With the Oakland A's, the only season long sponsorship is with the grounds crew, while the Texas deal sponsors a season long retail sweepstakes aimed at the family.

The new deal also features a one day promotion using the big video board at Ameriquest Field, which improves the chances at national TV coverage, especially considering it will show someone's pet dressed in Rangers gear.