Marketing Makes Olympic News

The 2012 Olympics was the highest rated US TV event ever and there is no doubt that it made tremendous global impact for not only the athletes but for their sponsors and associated brands. In addition to Oakley glasses and Ralph Lauren logos that were splattered across the screen, this year’s games spawned a number of interesting promotional efforts and like all topics gone social we took great interest in on, off, behind and around the screen activity — including marketing. 

We’ve collected some of the most interesting marketing related news stories that have come out of the 2012 games. Check out the list below. Any comments?

• Major sponsors McDonald’s and Coca-Cola become embroiled in controversy

• Like/dislike debate of the 2012 logo design

• Strict marketing and sponsor guidelines 

• Backlash over NBC’s coverage (specifically social media) of the Olympics

• Despite backlash, the 2012 Olympics was the highest rated US TV event ever

• Ambush marketing by Beats by Dre headphones resulting in a reported increase in sales accredited to it 

• Emergence of second screen integration with NBC Olympic apps for mobile and tablets 

• Controversy surrounding the marketing of Lolo Jones and media portrayal 

• Emergence of Fierce Five Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman as personal brands

• Fierce Five/Fab Five trademark issues

• Mckayla is not impressed meme and Maroney’s embracement of it