What do sponsors bring to The Games

In this tough market any sponsor of the 2012 Games have to do things to really stand out, to really get their name across and increase revenue in terms of customers and business.  It takes a lot of thinking and hard work for the employees of these big brands to think of that special something that will make them stand out. I have been looking at some of the biggest names in the sponsorship line up for 2012 and finding what they have come up with.


P&G

P&G, owners of Covergirl, Gillette and many more are one of this year’s proud sponsors of the Olympic Games. The company have come up with a scheme called “Proud Sponsors of Moms”. The Ohio based company will be paying for the mothers of the Canadian athletes to join them in London.  P&G have committed themselves to provide $500,000 to the families of the athletes so that they can feel complete whilst representing their country.  


The company want to be seen as being socially responsible; this ploy to connect with their audience will reach them on an emotional level. The consumer will see P&G as a company who are really trying to help others and its almost too good to fault them, especially when it comes to mums!

You may wonder why target mothers? Well as major manufacturers of consumer goods, P&G see mothers as the target audience when it comes to buying a lot of their goods. As part of this campaign, the official P&G website has also adopted a system where anyone can upload pictures and videos thanking their mums or simply sending them messages. As a result this will encourage people to visit the website and is a great way of advertising.

https://www.pgproudsponsorofmums.co.uk

Coca-Cola
Coca Cola have said that they are committed to ensure the 2012 Olympic Games are sustainable and environmentally friendly.  One of their ways of doing this is by placing 260 brand new Coca Cola branded recycling bins all around the city centre of Westminster. It has been said that 11,000 tonnes of waste is produced in London every day, this is Coca Colas way of trying to make sure its dealt with in the right way. As one of the Games longest serving sponsors, Coca Cola plan to keep this recycling system going before, during and after the Games.

One of Coca Colas main goals throughout the 2012 Olympics is to motivate young people to get more in touch with the Games. As part of their pledge to make a difference in the UK, the Worldwide Partners want to encourage teens to live healthy lifestyles, be active and try out different sports. What better way to connect with today’s youth than through music.


 Coca Cola have teamed up with one of the U.K’s greatest talents at the moment, Katy B and Grammy award winning producer Mark Ronson.  Together they have become part of the “Move the Beat” campaign, in hope to bring together peoples love of sport with their love for music.  The campaign is split up into four parts:

·         The official Coca-Cola song for London 2012

·         Documentary- Following Mark Ronson travelling across four continents to meet five Olympic athletes

·         Facebook app “Track the Beat”- Allows young people all around the world to keep up to date with the campaign, see snippets of Mark Ronsons travels and share with friends.

·         Coca Cola Olympic Games Pavilion- A building which can be found in the Olympic Park that allows visitors to listen to the official Coca Cola song and make beats of their own

Coca Cola are also hosting another campaign called “Future Flames” which allow inspiring young people to carry the Olympic Flame in the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. In a bid to get the teens of London more connected with the Olympics, Coca Cola are providing sporting opportunities to young people in disadvantaged areas. They are teaming up with national charity “StreetGames” to give teens work experience with themselves at the 2012 Olympic Games.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/olympicgames.html

McDonalds

McDonalds are also focusing a lot of their attention on today’s youth. They are trying to encourage healthy eating and a balanced diet. For the first time they will be serving Happy Meals in The Olympic Park.


McDonalds Champion of Play is a programme that is running throughout The Games which will be bringing children from all around the world to be a part of this unique experience. The programmes website will have features by famous athletes encouraging them to take part in sport and be healthy. The Happy Meals will include fruit, yoghurt and sporty fun books.

Being the Official Restaurant of the 2012 Games, McDonalds will be serving food to athletes, trainers, staff, volunteers and spectators.

http://www.olympic.org/sponsor-mcdonalds


For a full list of sponsors and info check out http://www.london2012.com/about-us/the-people-delivering-the-games/london-2012-olympic-games-partners.php

Should Mcdonalds continue to sponsor The Olympics?

As we all know Mcdonalds have played a huge part in sponsoring the Olympic Games since 1976, but I want to know whether it’s a good idea for fast food companies to sponsor sporting events such as The Olympics.

http://bit.ly/xhJDy4

It has recently come to light that McDonald’s has extended its global Olympic sponsorship for eight years and will remain one the high level sponsors throughout the 2020 Summer Games, being The Olympics Official Restaurant. Other sponsors such as Coca Cola Omega and Visa have also signed up for another 8 years.

"We are very proud of our long-standing partnership," said Don Thompson, McDonald's president and chief operating officer. "It's great to see how we evolved from a national sponsor to a worldwide partner over these years. Every dimension of our partnership shares the same values: excellence, teamwork, giving your best."

The fast food chain is known all over the world and will always be in demand. Even though McDonalds have tried introducing healthier options such as salads and grilled burgers, customers are still partial to a McChicken Sandwich or Big Mac.

McDonalds are making millions through the sponsorship and have even said that their extended partnership has encouraged them to introduce more relevant and meaningful programs within the company. But with a nation that is constantly growing fatter and unhealthier, how will this be possible?

  http://bit.ly/4LPobZ

McDonalds executive vice president, Kevin Newell has said these new ideas will be focused on balanced eating and fun play for children. They will also be involving children from all over the world and teaching them about The Olympics.

Throughout The Games McDonalds will be supplying food to competitors, spectators, trainers, staff etc. Is it right that people at The Olympics are going to be surrounded by companies such as McDonalds and Coca-Cola that aren’t particularly good for you. We look at The Olympics and think of healthy fit people who are all in good shape. Yet as we sit there and  watch these people we are subjected to being tempted by McDonalds.  

Fast food is and easy, convenient and accessible option, there will always be a demand for it. But are they sending out the right message, or is it all just to make money….

http://www.junkfoodnews.net/mcdonalds-olympics.htm