Celebrity Branding
The Olympics may be over, but the excitement is just beginning for the world of swimming. Thanks to world record-shattering performances in the pool, the Michael Phelps name is poised to become one of the most powerful brands in sports. Some say his equity is already strong enough to launch an entire company.
A big name can do a lot, giving personality and shape to an otherwise amorphous brand. Nike, who successfully partnered with Michael Jordan as both an endorser and eventually the namesake of the Air Jordan product line, has proven time and time again that brands can inherit the positive attributes of their spokespeople.
Branding a National Pastime
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You’d think that after spending 40+ hours a week emerged in other companies’ corporate and product branding initiatives, a person would choose to escape and relax on the weekends. But for 3-4 months a year, my weekend activities incorporate my day job, because I represent a branded tailgate party.
A group of Wake Forest alumni who realized we no longer fit in with the student lot crowd at football games, but who weren’t qualified for parking passes in the lot closest to the stadium with the big donors (the Gold Lot), set up camp in the corner of the Blue Lot that almost touches the Gold Lot. Thus, Almost Gold was born.
The Olympic Rings, a Timeless Symbol
With the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games right around the corner, it is only fitting that we take a look at the history and meaning of the official Olympic Emblem, otherwise known as the Olympic Rings.Read more
And They're Off!
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Although Big Brown failed to snag the Triple Crown on Saturday, I was lucky enough to spend the day at Belmont Park with 90,000 of his biggest fans. And while most of the betters were checking odds, sizing up jockeys and listening for tips, I disregarded all strategy and superstition and decided to bet on what I know best . . . names.
Mobo, Thor’s Echo, Sharp Susan, Dr. W, Too Tough Pete and Zaftig were just a few of the horses that drew my attention (and my cash). The race book was filled with goodies.
But how, and why, do they come up with such creative names?