John Hancock Financial Services, "concerned that a
groundbreaking" TV ad launched this summer "drew too much
attention for its apparent depiction of a gay couple who
have just adopted a baby" (see THE DAILY, 8/16), has "re-
edited" the ad twice as it prepares for its Olympic
campaign, according to Chris Reidy of the BOSTON GLOBE. A
"toned-down version" of the Hancock ad is slated to run on
NBC's Sydney coverage (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/13).
FLIPPIN' BURGERS: McDonald's spokesperson Andrew
Hipsley said that company Chair & CEO Jack Greenberg and
other senior execs will help 1,300 employees serve burgers
at Olympic Park in Sydney. Also, McDonald's execs will
"inspect Sydney restaurants, mingle with franchise holders
and visit 400 children," who are part of the McDonald's
Olympic Achievers program (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 9/13).
CHANGE AGENTS? ADWEEK's J. Dee Hill cites sources who
say that the USOC is "holding a review for its pro bono
account without" incumbent GSD&M, TX, which created the
USOC's "first-ever campaign last summer" (ADWEEK, 9/11).
SWOOSH BASHING DOWN UNDER: The AP's John Affleck
reports that the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team "had
to walk through [anti-capitalist] protesters to get to
practice" Monday in Melbourne, and were "forced to take a
boat to return to their hotel." U.S. C and Nike endorser
Lisa Leslie: "It really felt like we were in a war, so to
speak. ... They made a few comments about Nike" (AP, 9/13).
BUY, BUY, BUY: On "Nightly Business Report," Paul
Kangas reported that NY-based Chyron Corporation was "the
big percentage gainer" yesterday on Wall Street, as it was
up $1 to close at $3.68 on the "news the company's been
chosen by NBC, CBC and the Sydney Olympic Broadcasting
Organization for their on-air graphics look" ("NBR," 9/12).
Shares of Chryon are up 8.5% in early trading this morning.