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Catching Up With 24 Hour Fitness CEO Carl Liebert
24 Hour Fitness CEO Carl Liebert joined the company last year, long after it had signed its partnership with the U.S. Olympic Committee. But the former Home Depot executive was familiar with the property, so he had no qualms about approving a four-year extension of that relationship yesterday evening. Liebert chatted with SportsBusiness Journal Olympics writer Tripp Mickle about the Olympic movement and the Beijing Games following the sponsorship announcement. Read More >Comments -
News Notes: 24 Hour Fitness Extends $10M USOC Deal
24 Hour Fitness today confirmed the extension of its sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Committee through 2012 at a small press conference in Beijing that featured volleyball player Kerri Walsh, USA Basketball Director Jerry Colangelo and USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
The fitness company’s previous agreement was valued in the $10 million range over the four years of the deal. Its new deal includes a mix of cash and value-in-kind, and is similar in price. Read More > -
Swimmers Phelps, Torres Top Marketability Study
Michael Phelps’ quest to become the first Olympian to win eight gold medals in a single Summer Games may make him the most recognized U.S. Olympic athlete, but 41-year-old swimmer Dara Torres could become the Beijing Olympics’ most marketable competitor, according to a study conducted for SportsBusiness Journal by the Davie-Brown Index. Read More > -
OUTSIDE THE RINGS
No Fireworks, No Doves, Not Many People at Opener
It was foggy. It was humid. The stadium was barely one-third filled. No doves. No trumpets. No government officials. No political demonstrations.
But the Olympics opened in the seaport city of Qinhuangdao on Wednesday night. And the U.S. women’s soccer team kicked off the tournament with a disappointing 2-0 loss to Norway. Read More > -
Hospitality Agencies Sweating Use Of Ceremony Tickets
Confusion swirled today in Beijing among corporate hospitality professionals about whether all Olympic clients and their guests who have an opening ceremony ticket — the prize ducat of the Beijing Games — will be allowed to enter the Bird’s Nest on Friday night.
“Ultimately, it remains to be seen,” said Wayne Eldevik, who heads Maritz Inc.’s SME Olympic services unit, which is handling about 600 ceremonies tickets for clients such as Bank of China, a BOCOG sponsor. Read More > -
'Lower Goat Intestines' ... Not Exactly Nike's 'Just Do It'
Shoe wars are sure to be a theme during the next three weeks of the Olympics. And equipment issues are certain to take center stage as early as Sunday when Michael Phelps, in his Speedo RZR, seeks his first of perhaps eight gold medals.
Nike, which has lost out to Speedo in the pool, is poised to make the largest impression on the track, when the centerpiece Olympic track and field competition begins Aug. 15. But every U.S. athlete will sport a Swoosh, and all medal winners will wear Nike warm-ups. Read More > -
On The Ground: The Marketing Arm's Mary O'Connor
Today we continue to touch base with people going to Beijing for the Olympic Games.
The Marketing Arm's
Mary O'Connor
Mary O'Connor heads The Marketing Arm's Olympic division, leading all Olympic sponsorship initiatives for agency clients.
She took time to answer our questions before leaving for Beijing and will periodically answer our questions during the 17-day event. Read More > -
OUTSIDE THE RINGS
Let the Games Begin: On the Road to Qinhuangdao
August 6, Wednesday morning, China time
It seems like only yesterday — or was it tomorrow? — that I packed all my things, bundled all my wires, counted all my underwear and headed off for China.
But this morning I had to do it all over again. Read More >
