Zika • Recession • Security • Doping Scandals • Brazilian Politics & Public Apathy
I will be on the panel of the Marketing Executives Networking Group’s panel discussion on the marketing challenges of the Rio Olympic Games
RSVP by Thursday, JULY 28, noon at http://members.mengonline.com/e/in/eid=421
Photo I.D. required for building entry.
Many issues are plaguing the Rio Olympic Games, which commence August 5th. The stakes are high – this is South America’s first Olympics – but problems still loom large. Rio is even canceling school because it doesn’t have a solution for the traffic. “No question, the country is facing the ‘perfect storm,'” noted former International Olympic Committee Marketing Director Michael Payne. Additionally, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced updated Rule 40 guidelines limiting branding of athletes, coaches, trainers and officials to prevent over-commercialization of the Olympic Games among other goals.
What’s a marketer to do?
MENG member and Sports Marketer, Scott Lange, will lead a lively panel discussion on the Olympic Games, covering both issues specific to Rio and perennial Olympics questions such as the value proposition of sponsorship and media coverage. Joining him are sports marketing and media experts, Ray Katz, who worked for the NFL, other major leagues and sports agencies; former head of programming for CBS Sports Jay Rosenstein, who started his career at Time Magazine reporting Olympics cover stories; and Lisa Merriam, who worked on sponsorships at the Torino, Beijing, and London Olympic Games. Together, they will cover topics such as
What do Olympics sponsors actually receive when they invest in the Olympic Games?
What’s the best way to maximize ROI?
What makes the Olympics so important for media, corporate sponsors, fans, athletes, and participating countries?
What happens when non-sponsors use guerilla tactics to borrow interest in the Olympics?
…and other salient topics…
Our August 1st meeting is extra special because it will be our last with our generous, long-time host, Lee Hecht Harrison. So come join us for our final party at 230 Park Avenue.
WHEN: Monday, August 1, 5:30 – 8:00 PM (just 4 days before the Rio Games open!)
Panel begins at 6:15 PM
WHERE: Lee, Hecht, Harrison, 230 Park Avenue (Helmsley Building, between 45th and 46th Streets)
FEES: Members & LHH $10 until noon July 28, $20 late registration
Guests $20 until noon July 28, $30 late registration
Refreshments will be served.
RSVP by Thursday, JULY 28, noon at http://members.mengonline.com/e/in/eid=421
Photo I.D. required for building entry.
Scott Lange
SVP, eTeam Executive Search
Scott built his career promoting and securing marketing partnerships for large scale televised events such as the the New York Road Runners/NYC Marathon®, NYC 2012 Olympic Bid, the Ford NYC Triathlon, and the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. His partners and clients have included organizations such as AT&T, Asics, audible.com, Cingular, Coca-Cola, Ford Motor, GEICO, JPMorgan Chase, Jaguar, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, MINI, Nike, Coca-Cola, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. As an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Tisch Institute for Sport Management, he taught sports marketing and corporate sponsorship for 5 years. Scott has also been an entrepreneur: a co-founding board member of the Leverage Agency, a sports and branded entertainment marketing agency, and co-founder/President of National College Television, the first ad-supported satellite TV network for college students.
Ray Katz
Managing Partner, Source1 Sports
Ray Katz is a sports business, media, and marketing executive with over 25 years of experience, with leadership roles at the NFL, NY Knicks, and NY Rangers as well as at agencies such as Young and Rubicam, OMD, the Leverage Agency, and Source Communications. Ray is an expert in evaluating, measurement, analytics, creating/packaging, buying and selling sports sponsorships and media. In addition to his business career, Ray has been a distinguished professor at the Sports Business Masters level for over 20 years and currently teaches marketing, media, finance and foundations at Columbia University. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned his Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing at The Wharton School of Business.
Jay Rosenstein
VP, Headline Media Management
Jay Rosenstein is Vice President, Programming for Headline Media Management, responsible for developing and representing sports and entertainment properties as a seasoned television negotiator. He has had more than 35 years of sports television, marketing and public relations experience, serving 15 years in executive positions at CBS, including seven as VP in charge of programming at CBS Sports. At CBS, Jay was responsible for acquisition, scheduling and administration of all network sports properties including the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Olympic Winter Games. Following CBS, Jay served as SVP, Director of Sports & Events at Cohn & Wolfe, with clients such as Eli Lilly, Xerox, BMW, Guinness and the NHL. Jay later ran programming for WeMedia Sports, which produced TV and online coverage of the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. He is currently an adjunct professor at NYU’s Tisch Institute for Sport Management, Media and Business.
Lisa Merriam
President, Merriam Associates
Lisa Merriam led the branding initiative for Johnson & Johnson’s sponsorship of the 2006 Torino and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and helped develop their sponsorship brand story. On the tactical side, she worked with a BMW dealer group to leverage BMW’s performance story at the London 2012 Games. Currently a brand consultant, Lisa’s background includes agency experience at McCann-Erickson, Ogilvy & Mather, FCB, Mother, Brandworx, Verse Group, and others. Her volunteer initiatives include the Navy SEAL Museum, Naval Special Warfare Historical Foundation, Moms Who Kick Martial Arts Women Fighting Cancer, and the New York American Marketing Association.