Highlight of the week in Alberta...

...a ski up to Blueberry Hill in Peter Lougheed Park

Bold new corporate funding strategy for U sports

U sports (formerly CIS) is engaging International Management Group (IMG) for the initiative. The consolidated strategy (for all 56 participating Canadian Universities) delivers a much stronger marketing proposition than the current fragmented approach. Will be watching with interest.
U sports launches national strategy to attract corporate funding - via Globe and Mail

Nissan continues to see value in Champions League Sponsorship

Nissan and Champions League sponsorship - via The Drum

Canada’s amateur sport organisations step up their marketing game

Some good Canadian reference points here. For my money, the ghost bikes don’t quite engage like the more personal alpine skiing stories.

Globe and Mail Article: Canada’s amateur sport organizations step up their marketing game

Online assets key to new sponsorship deal for UK premiership rugby.

J. Gallagher (Insurance Broker) is the new sponsor for UK premiership rugby.

Sports leagues and teams chase online ad budgets - via Digiday

Pyeongchang Olympics statistics

A couple of the notable statistics mentioned:
German brewery Krombacher shipped 3500 liters of non-alcoholic beer to athletes village. The German athletes recovery drink!
The secret to Norway’s success - “No jerks” policy and... snow.
Klaebo of Norway - 3 Gold medals.
More at the link below:

Summary of Olympics via BBC Sport

Cross Country events medals table

Comcast Jessie Diggins ad...

Very nicely done. A first for US cross-country (Olympic gold) - also well played by Comcast and ad agency (72andSunny). Let’s not forget Kikkan Randall the other half of the relay team. A rare moment.

Comcast Jessie Diggins ad - via Adweek

A small selection of cross-country Olympic highlights

Winter Olympics final medal standings

A few more sponsorship examples

Comparing the relatively discreet new NBA shirt sponsorship with some well established examples.