Olympics-SOCHI 2014

SOCHI Olympics 2014

I have been a fan of the Olympics for as long as I can remember. At a young age I was obsessed with the gymnastics events in the Summer and the ice skating events in the winter. Something about the grace and poise the athletes possessed always amazed and inspired me. 

As I've grown older I've come to appreciate a variety of Olympic sports and the dedication and talent that each one of the athletes possesses. There are so many events now that there really is something for everyone to watch and cheer for. The coolest part about the Olympics is the intense competition among athletes around the world but at the same time the unspoken bond and camaraderie that they all share. They have a love for the sport and a determination that can't be matched.

  

Just like any other popular sporting event, The Olympics is a huge marketing and advertising stage. Millions of dollars in sponsorships are given by individuals, companies, and countries to support their athletes and the Olympics in general. One of my favorite things to watch during the Olympic coverage is the backstories on the athletes. It's amazing to hear about their journeys and how hard they've worked to get to this point. 

One of the biggest factors in an Olympian's life is the support they receive from their parents. One major company has taken advantage of this concept and has crafted a brilliant campaign based on the countless moms that have sacrificed so much for their children to become the best athletes in the world. 

Everything about this campaign is effective. It's emotionally appealing. The commercials are very high-quality. The ads are inspiring. And it's easy to make the connection between the brand and the sponsorship even though it barely mentions the name P & G.  

These campaigns really hit home for a lot of people. The P & G name has become tied to a concept that is so positive and profound that it is surely going to be effective in boosting sales and brand awareness. I think P & G really went for the Gold! 

The Olympics is such an awesome time to see creativity come out in so many different ways and advertising is just another aspect of that. I think sponsoring athletes is an awesome thing for companies to do and it's one of the most effective things to consider when trying to build a household name. I love the Olympics and the marketing behind them. Go Team USA! 

Feel the Love.

Valentine's Day

For some it's a much anticipated holiday and for others it's completely dreaded. I personally love Valentine's Day and always have. I think it's a beautiful concept to set aside a day that is completely devoted to love in any form. As a tribute to St. Valentine and everything the holiday represents here is a list of the 5 best things about Valentine's Day in no particular order (in my opinion anyway).

1. Unexpected Love- It's always nice to receive kind words or a treat from someone you aren't expecting anything from. It's even better to give unexpected gifts of appreciation and love. Everyone in life has someone to be thankful for and why not take the opportunity to tell them on a holiday centered around love?

2. Chick Flicks- I am a huge fan of chick flicks. They may be a little mushy and sometimes even a bit unrealistic but I enjoy a nice feel good story with a happy ending from time to time. There is always a chick flick that comes out around Valentine's Day and with so many thrillers, dramas, and action movies it's nice to be able to relax, not be on the edge of your seat and just watch someone fall in love. 

3. CANDY! There's something about Valentine's Day candy that just tastes better. There are all sorts of specialty products that come out around the middle of January which always adds festivity to the stores. It's also great from a marketing perspective because you can tailor specific products and campaigns towards the holiday and possibly reach a new audience of consumers.

  4. Calories Don't Count. Just like every other holiday I think everyone is allowed to eat whatever they want without having to count calories and worry about it. I mean Valentine's Day only comes once a year so why not spoil yourself and eat a couple chocolates. and ice cream. and cookies. and cake. and whatever else your little heart desires. Things just taste better when it's a holiday. 

5. Everyone is just happier. I've always loved holidays but I especially love Valentine's Day because it's the only day of the year that you can be cheesy and loving for basically no reason at all. I think it's important to realize that everyone has someone in their life to love every single day and Valentine's Day gives us a reason to celebrate that. Happy Valentine's Day!  

xoxo Brooke xoxo