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Women’s Pro Soccer Eyes World’s Top Star
Brazil’s Marta is considered to be the world’s most dazzling women’s soccer player, but does the new U.S. women’s league stand a chance of signing her for its inaugural season? Women’s Professional Soccer Commissioner Tonya Antonucci thinks so.
“She’s indicated interest in coming to WPS, which is fantastic,” Antonucci said. Read More >Comments -
Donny Robinson Taking Sponsors On Olympic Ride
BMX made its debut as the newest Olympic sport last night, and American Donny Robinson, the world’s top-ranked BMX rider, helped kick off the proceedings. Aside from battling for the gold tonight, Robinson hopes his appearance will help broaden exposure to the sport, and he boasts a marketing portfolio full of partners willing to help him in that endeavor. Robinson’s agent, Octagon’s Heather Novickis, hopes the exposure will “help people see that it is an accessible, popular and cool sport, and I think athletes like Donny are going to help take BMX to the next level.” Read More > -
Medal Stand
Gold
Kellogg Co.
The company is taking a cue from rival General Mills' Wheaties and putting the star of the Beijing Games, Michael Phelps, on the cover of its cereal boxes. It will put Phelps on the front of Kellogg's Corn Flakes and Frosted Flakes in the coming weeks in a move best described as scooping the competition.
Silver
Shawn Johnson
After being bested for gold in the all-around competition by teammate Nastia Liukin, the Iowan looked like she might return home without a gold of her own. But Johnson dug one out in her last event, giving her a chance to extend her endorsement window beyond the Games.
Bronze
Beijing's buzz
Is it because the Olympic Green is closed, or because the city is so large and sprawling? It's hard to say, but Helios Partners CEO Chris Welton, whose firm has worked with past Olympic host cities, returned from Beijing saying that the city lacked the buzz of other Olympic cities.
Tin
USOC
How many unflattering situations will the USOC find itself in during the 17 days of the Games? First came the cyclists wearing USOC-issued masks. Then came the organization staying silent when Joey Cheek's visa to China was denied. Now, it has had to apologize to other national organizing committees for offering U.S. Olympians a $50 voucher if they voted in this Thursday's IOC Athletes Commission election, a violation of IOC rules. -
Hurdles remain for track and field in U.S.
It used to be the centerpiece. It wants to be again.
So, as the Beijing Olympics track and field competition got under way last Friday, the stewards of the sport in the U.S. are seeking ways to rebuild its tarnished, drug-linked reputation, to repackage itself to garner TV rights fees and to broaden a fan base that reaches beyond the “track geek” aficionados. Read More >
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Allyson Felix Endorsement Portfolio Up To Speed
Allyson Felix began her pursuit of gold in the women’s 200 meters today when she qualified for the semifinals. In Beijing, Felix is looking to build upon her performance at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the silver medal. Breakaway Sports Management LLC's Todd Provost, who handles Felix’s marketing, hopes that success in Beijing could serve to further broaden Felix’s appeal. Provost emphasized that in searching for sponsorships he looks for a long-term commitment from companies, and most of Felix’s current sponsors “have been around greater than one year.” Read More > -
Roundtable Assesses Mid-Games Marketing Issues
As the Beijing Games continue into the second week, the panelists in the latest installment of our Olympics roundtable reflected on the marketing impact of one of the biggest stories of the first week, Michael Phelps’ record eight gold medals. Participants also assessed other marketing and business stories from the opening week and offered their take on whether the momentum can continue. Read More >
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Medal Stand
Gold
Sports Illustrated
The first eight-medal photo of Michael Phelps was going to end up somewhere, and SI made sure that it was the place. It rolls out in this week's issue (a shirtless Phelps in front of a red background with eight gold medals hanging around his neck). It's hard to say whether or not that big goofy grin will sell magazines, but it can't hurt.
Silver
AVP
As if NBC's continuous prime-time coverage of beach volleyball wasn't enough, the pro beach volleyball tour wound up with the best-case scenario for a gold-medal match when American stars Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh take on a team from China on Thursday.
Bronze
NBC and DVR
Is NBC intentionally making the Olympics DVR resistant? The network has things set up in six-hour increments, and yesterday morning it set the USA basketball game to start in the fifth hour of a six-hour block and then carry through an additional six-hour block from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On most DVRs, that means you had to record 12 hours of programming to get the entire game. Seems a little fishy to us.
Tin
Judging controversies
Judging controversies have become as much an Olympic tradition as doves during the Opening Ceremony. Yesterday, Nastia Liukin found herself in the center of the latest controversy when she tied for first place in the uneven bars but ended up with the silver medal. It was just the latest in a string of controversies that ultimately devalue Olympic competition. -
Torres, Liukin Book “Tonight Show” Appearances
After the Olympic flame is extinguished on Sunday, NBC will keep newly minted Olympic stars Dara Torres and Nastia Liukin in the spotlight. The swimmer and gymnast are scheduled for appearances on “The Tonight Show” on Aug. 25 and 26, respectively. Both athletes are represented by Evan Morgenstein of Raleigh-based Premier Management Group.
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Misty May-Treanor Looking For A Spike In Sponsors
A member of both the AVP and FIVB pro tours and a three-time Olympian with a gold medal from the 2004 Athens Games, Misty May-Treanor is one of the most successful and recognizable female volleyball players in history. May-Treanor shares her fame, success and some endorsements with partner Kerri Walsh, and the pair have advanced to the semifinals of the Beijing Games. But May-Treanor and her agent, WMG’s Dan Levy, have managed to build a brand and endorsement profile that reflects her individual appeal. Read More >
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Inside The Business Following Phelps’ Run To History
Maybe, just maybe, with his past Olympic week of medals and records, Michael Phelps has single-handedly changed the nature of swimming. It sure feels that way in Beijing.
Let the Phelps Phrenzy begin. His agent is in full leverage mode. His current sponsors are in activation overdrive.
Let us count the ways that Michaelmania is manifesting itself …
Read More >
