USOC Update -- Vancouver Promotion; AT&T Continues USOC Partnership

10/26/2009

USOC Pushes Vancouver Olympics

The USOC will rollout its promotion for the Vancouver Olympics on Nov. 4—100 days before the start of the Games.
Called “Making Team USA”, for the first time, NBC and its cable network dedicated to Olympic sports, will show how athletes make the U.S. Olympic team.

NBC plans on promoting the Games on all of its networks with commercials, Olympic guests, and one minute promotions. 1250 hours of broadcast time is planned to promote the Games.

The official launch will take place at Rockefeller Square in New York City on “The Today Show”. The launch will be put together with the help of several USOC sponsors including Hilton Hotels, Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s.

"We're excited, essentially for the first time as an Olympic broadcaster, to be able to present Olympic athletes and events as they prepare and compete up to the Winter Olympics," NBC Olympics president Gary Zenkel was quoted by The Associated Press.

Part of the plan for the promotion is to help clarify the qualifying process for the Olympic team, a complicated process that is different for every sport.

"It's confusing," Zenkel said. "A byproduct and benefit of the rollout of this coverage is it gives us an opportunity on a daily basis to put the competition in context for those who are very focused on the Winter Olympics."

Sponsors of the USOC were also considered in this promotion. They will be given more time to activate their Olympic sponsorship. Typically sponsors are only able to showcase their support during the Games.

AT&T Renews USOC Sponsorship

Around the Rings has learned that telecommunications giant AT&T will continue its sponsorship of the USOC.
 
The agreement will continue the partnership through the 2012 Olympics.

An AT&T spokesperson tells Around the Rings: “AT&T has supported the United States Olympic Committee for more than 20 years, and we’re honored to continue our support of Team USA and the incredible athletes it represents. AT&T will continue to keep Team USA connected to coaches, family, friends and fans as it prepares for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.”

Sandusky Starts at USOC

Monday marks the first day on the job for Patrick Sandusky, Acting Communications Director for the USOC.

Sandusky most recently served as Vice President, Communications for the Chicago Olympic bid. He also worked with the London and Beijing Olympic bids.

He also worked as a vice president with PR firm Hill and Knowlton in Chicago. He will work out of the USOC’s headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I am looking forward to the months ahead, working closely with the USOC leadership team as the organization moves forward with preparations leading into the Vancouver Games," Sandusky said.

Sandusky will serve in the position of Acting Chief Communications Officer through the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games.

USOC Briefs…

…The USOC announced TeamFanShop, Inc. will power the official USOC online store. Set to launch in Nov., TeamUSAShop.com will feature a wide range Olympic products from key licensees including Nike and Polo Ralph Lauren. “This new partnership with the USOC represents a significant opportunity to extend our industry-leading services to an entirely new category of passionate consumers,” said Brian Swallow, USOC VP of Sales & Marketing. “We’re proud to represent the United States Olympic Committee and look forward to delivering the best possible experience to Team USA fans around the world.”

… The USA Canoe/Kayak board of directors named Joe Jacobi as interim Executive Director, replacing David Yarborough, who resigned after six years with the organization.

Media Watch

National Public Radio’s Howard Berkes reports on the criticisms levied at USOC leadership in the wake of Chicago’s losing Olympic bid.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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