“Apple Inc is threatening to crash Samsung’s expensive Olympics party,” Liana B. Baker reports for Reuters. “Samsung is mobile phone sponsor of the Rio Games and sells its handsets exclusively to hundreds of thousands of visitors flocking to Olympic venues – but Apple is tempting some of them outside with its own unofficial Games merchandise.”
“It is using an Apple Store about six miles (10 km) from the main Olympic park as the sole outlet for special-edition Apple watch bands,” Baker reports. “Some buyers, including top athletes, have been proudly advertising their new bands on social media.”
“The watch bands do not feature the iconic Olympic rings logo or the word “Olympics”, which are for the exclusive use of sponsors like Samsung. Instead, they come in a choice of 14 national team colors, including the United States and Canada. A Brazil-themed nylon band was close to selling out this week,” Baker reports. “‘While they don’t appear to be breaking any rules, they appear to be getting really close to the edge of ambush or guerilla marketing,’ said Jeff Benz, who arbitrates disputes for international dispute-resolution firm JAMS and is a former general counsel at the U.S. Olympic Committee.”
Ready for rio ! pic.twitter.com/p8PKJ3o5Fs
— IamTrayvonBromell (@TrayvonBromell) July 21, 2016
We now know that time it is. It's "go" time. 🇺🇸🇨🇦 Team #NorthAmerica #RoadToRio pic.twitter.com/YksQbauoMU
— Ashton Eaton (@AshtonJEaton) July 29, 2016
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: And now, Apple’s Rio Apple Watch bands are not only on Twitter, but featured on Reuters, too!
I honestly wonder how worthwhile all these big sponsorships are. How many people are going to an olympic event and then decided to buy a phone whilst they’re there?
I very much doubt that’s the point. They’re more for the viewers watching who see the logos at venues, and ads on TV and media, who might then buy them in their home countries.
And for those actually there, it’s to implant the brands into their brain so even if they don’t buy anything there, they’ll remember them after flying home.
I thought the Olympics were a venue & event for excellence and not far-less-than-excellent tech POS from copiers & thieves like Scamskunks?
It’s not Apple’s fault that the athletes and consumers in general use the best smart Watch on the market.
Knowing how the Olympic committee works, I am really surprised that they are not suing Trayvon Bromwell for infringement over his olympic rings tattoo.
I was watching the women’s Archery competition on Sunday on Comcast’s/NBC on demand and literally every three arrows they broke away for a Samsung commercial. The SAME Samsung commercial for the Note 7 with music from Disney about whistling while you work. We got sick and tired of that commercial! Royally sick and tired of that commercial. Sometimes they played it three times per break! Did they think that ear torture was going to cause people to buy their huge phone with a stylus to lose?
I think the best Apple ad of all was the high number of the athletes in the parade of nations carrying iPhones and taking videos and photos! iPhones outnumbered other makes by at least five to one from my very unscientific survey.
“While they don’t appear to be breaking any rules, they appear to be getting really close to the edge of ambush or guerilla marketing,’ said Jeff Benz, who arbitrates disputes for international dispute . . .”
In other words, their pissed because they want their money, big money, while taking advantage of “amateur” athletes.
To clarify, I was talking about the Olympic Committee. You know, those who rake in the advertising dollars and salaries while making rules saying that athletes are not allowed to go pro.
For those thinking he was insulting the athletes, you are confused. He’s clearly criticizing the Olympic Committee and associated organizations that make boatloads of money off of athletes, who often see very little of that money, if any.
Olypic viewership is down almost 30% Nobody is watch and fewer give a shit.