The Society of Editors conference is producing many interesting talking points on the future of the media but in addition to some of the more heavyweight issues being discussed there will always be journalists looking for the next scoop.  The Guardian’s Media Monkey is a good source for the latest gossip and today’s news is that Trinity Mirror’s Chief Executive Sly Bailey was driven the “20 yards” or so from the Society of Editors’ dinner back to her hotel causing Media Monkey to question her commitment to the Trinity Mirror green policy.  They’ve even helpfully plotted the route on a map:

Admittedly this won’t be a major talking point of the conference but it is proof at least that the media’s appetite for a story is as strong as ever!

By Alex Coulson on November 11th, 2008

Tags: Media

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It would appear that the answer, according to Puma at least, is an interest in shoes.  Usain runs in them and Paulo sings about them.

This unlikely combination left some rather bemused journalists writing reports of this new partnership such as Tom Fordyce’s amusing piece on BBC Sport Olympic blog.

In the pre-Olympic build up numerous sponsors and PR’s held media events attracting the world’s press keen to talk to the stars.  Ben Shpigel from The New York Times appears to have been to a few such events and is not always clear what the links are between the stars, the sponsor and the event.   Nutini’s song ‘New Shoes’ is used on Puma’s ATL campaign and Bolt fronts Puma running across their marketing campaign, so there is at least some validity behind the joint press conference (even if some of the journalists may not have immediately got it). 

I’m looking forward to the release of the ‘official’ reggae version of their combined single…

By Alex Coulson on August 19th, 2008

Tags: Brand marketing, Olympics, Public relations, Sponsorship

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A recent Newslines from sportbusiness.com announced that the Australian Sweeney Report revealed an apparent “drop in interest from the Australian public’s response to their sports stars”.  According to the report all but one of the top ten most marketable sporting ‘celebrities’ had dropped in the rankings of public interest, but more on this top 10 later.

The Sweeney Report was shocked by this unexpected drop in interest and drew the conclusion that it must be connected with player’s off-field antics that have led the public to question their endorsement of brands.  I read this to mean that they believe public will lose interest in athletes who don’t conduct themselves in a 100% prim and proper fashion when not engaged in their sport.

I think they might be missing the point a bit here…  Granted we all love sportsmen and women who excel in their sport but isn’t that just the half of it?  We also love a star – somebody who stands out and shows they aren’t just a machine but are also a genuine character who can engage with the public and the media.  Then naturally the sponsors will come knocking at their door and it might not always be a smooth ride but the interest will be high.

Take snooker where Ronnie O’Sullivan is undoubtedly the game’s biggest star.  He has a gift which has drawn hyperbolic comparisons to Tiger Woods and even Mozart but a major reason for his huge following is his character and moreover his character flaws.

Outside the sporting arena misdemeanours don’t seem to be a barrier to public interest and sponsors either.   The Kate Moss cocaine scandal actually resulted in another contract when she starred in the tongue-in-cheek Virgin Mobile advertisement.  It would seem that we may occasionally lose patience with our stars but we appreciate that they are human just like us and make their fair share of mistakes.
Back to the Australian public interest; although outside the top ten Shane Warne’s level of interest grew and he is another person who’s well reported off-field antics should land him a mobile phone sponsor!

The one sports star whose interest grew in the top ten was none other than ex-Liverpool player Harry Kewell who has recently landed a deal to front Australian fashion label Politix, maybe it’s an Australian thing but I’m not all that interested, how about you?

By Alex Coulson on July 4th, 2008

Tags: Brand marketing, Sponsorship

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The hardcore fans are still out there and their allegiance is strong to both club and country.  Much has been said about the sales of Spain and Portugal shirts rising this summer.  In Liverpool and the surrounding area Spain shirts have sold well thanks to Spanish striker Torres establishing himself as a Kop favourite.  Whilst Man Utd fans (wherever they live, Surrey as I understand it…) are snapping up Portugal shirts in homage to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Fernando Torres in the English Premiership.

The multicultural Barclays Premier League will be well represented in Euro 2008 even if the English team isn’t there itself.  Austria and Switzerland will play host to many faces familiar to the English audience including players from Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle, Wigan, Man City, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Middlesbrough, Tottenham and Portsmouth.  The Coca-Cola Football League and Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League will be represented too plus the transfer gossip will link many players with a move to the Premiership after their performance this summer.

So there is still plenty of home interest but what qualifies as ‘home’ interest?

European communities are well established within Britain and they will be watching their ‘home’ teams with all the passion and support you would expect.  Tesco has not missed this opportunity and would appear to have adopted Poland bringing in extra supplies of polish snacks and beers in 150 stores in areas with large Polish communities as reported in The Times.  There are also strong areas of support for Portugal, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands to name a few.

As a football fan I’m still excited about Euro 2008 and without the inevitability of England getting knocked out it’s almost more enjoyable.   If the fans’ interest is strong then the brands will follow suit.  As Tim said in his previous blog, Euro 2008 is a time that brands can see how their long term football agendas measure up and will give them the chance to make sure things are on track in time for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

So whether you can lay claim to a great-great-grandmother from Portugal, or will be following a player from your club or you just like the shirt… which team will you be adopting?

By Alex Coulson on June 11th, 2008

Tags: Brand marketing, Euro 2008, Football

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