LA 2024 has chosen Weber Shandwick to provide the bid group with communications support in international markets. Previously the firm helped support winning Olympic bids for the '22 Beijing Games, the '20 Tokyo Games and the '14 Sochi Games (LA 2024). LA 2024 Chief Communications Officer Jeff Millman said Shandwick was awarded the business following a competitive review that included "several global PR firms." He added the Interpublic Group shop has a "track record of success" when it comes to the Olympics. AD AGE's Lindsay Stein noted Shandwick is "tasked with promoting the bid in international markets where Olympic stakeholders live and work, as well as providing strategic insight into the entire process." Unlike some bid cities in the past, Weber Shandwick Chair Jack Leslie said that the agency "won't have to work on a campaign" in L.A. "because 88% of the city has said they support the bid." He added that some of the "key communications points to IOC members and Olympic stakeholders will focus on the fact that Los Angeles can 'ensure financial stability' and help bring forward the future of the games." The city "plans on using its own existing venues, and the bid committee already has a transportation plan in place as part of its proposal" (ADAGE.com, 2/28).
HOLLYWOOD FLAVOR: In L.A., David Ng notes Hollywood studios Disney, Fox, NBCUniversal and Warner Bros are "teaming up" with the city to promote the bid and will "bring their combined star power and media savvy to boost L.A.’s chances of bringing the Games back." The studios are working with LA 2024 on "marketing and promotional content." A recent social media campaign "featured past Olympians picking their favorite Oscar-winning and nominated movies." The committee said that it also "intends to offer partnerships between Hollywood talent and the Olympic Channel." If L.A. wins the bid, the committee said that it will "use Hollywood talent" for the Opening and Closing ceremonies (L.A. TIMES, 3/1).
