John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance President David
D'Alessandro said that three company surveys in recent weeks
found that 20% of those questioned "have now lost faith in
not only the Olympics but in the companies that sponsor the
Olympics and their products," according to Larry Siddons of
the AP. D'Alessandro: "That's a problem." D'Alessandro
said that another 30-40% of the 500 people surveyed said
they "have lost some respect for the Olympics," and "only"
3-4% said they were "more likely to buy an Olympic sponsor's
product." D'Alessandro: "What's really troubling is you
have 20 percent who say, 'I no longer think as highly of
your company because you sponsor the Olympics, and I'm
seriously considering not buying your product'" (AP, 5/13).
QUESTIONS ON HIS DATA: SLOC CEO Mitt Romney, on
D'Alessandro's poll statements: "Phooey." Romney added that
USOC data shows no significant erosion toward sponsors and
noted GM's marketing and ad investment around the Olympic
Games announced Wednesday. Romney: "This is a case of
dueling polls. And in my view the duel was decided when
General Motors voted with their dollars." Outgoing USOC
Deputy Secretary General John Krimsky, on D'Alessandro's
poll data: "He's exaggerated some very narrowly focused data
that he and only he is privy to. It's inaccurate, and it's
done to further his position which has been to chill the
Olympic sponsorship market" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 5/13).
