Winter Olympics final medal standings

A few more sponsorship examples

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

A new cross-sport marketing model?

How about cross country skiing and hockey (...OK maybe not hockey) or skating/running/cycling?

The Open and Manchester City partnership - via The Drum

Harvey unable to push hockey off the front page...

...and not even a photo.  This is arguably the top event (think 100 meters in the olympics) of the world championships.  Poor marketing, perceived level of interest in this story - or both?

Impressive performance, Alex Harvey 50km world champion...

... and an Englishman in a photo for 4th ?!

Age and/or incompetence...

...perhaps both catching up with me.  That aside, a beautiful day in Gatineau Park for the Loppet.

A new dynamic for some athlete/sponsor relationships in the US

The current political climate is presenting new challenges for big name (brand) athletes and their sponsor relationships.  "Neutrality not an option...?"

Digiday article here:
The new athlete/sponsor brand dynamic

Gatineau Loppet 2017

Are you ready...

2017 Vasaloppet sells out in 4 minutes!

The enduring popularity of the Vasaloppet demonstrated once again.
Vasaloppet article FIS-SKI

Moonlight ski in Haliburton

A unique experience at Moosewoods.  A clear cold night with the full moon casting shadows across the trail.

Chelsea FC get me a sponsor campaign

It helps to be a globally recognized brand, although the principles of this approach apply whether you are big or small.  Take note sports marketers!
Chelsea FC Get me a Sponsor video

B2B vs B2C company sponsorship

B2B companies can make sponsorship worthwhile by ensuring alignment with business goals and taking a creative, partnership based approach.
A few examples quoted in this article.
Article from B2B Marketing

Increasing contribution of live sport to TV advertising revenue

Now contributing 37% of ad revenue for the US market as TV viewing habits continue to shift.  This is reflected in escalating cost of TV rights for hockey in Canada, football in the UK, cross country skiing in Norway (perhaps?!).

Advertising Age Article

Most successful ever online kit launch for Adidas

Manchester United (who else?).  Again demonstrates the phenomenal marketing power of a top global sports brand.  See article at the link below.
Drum article

Breakdown of top earning athletes by sport

Top 5 individuals aside, over 60% of the top 100 earners are from US centric sports.  Significant that even a truly global sport like "Soccer" only has 15 of the top 100 earners.

Source: Forbes via Globe & Mail.

Last (lift) ski of the season - May 18

High up at Sunshine, Alberta.  A Cross country trail in the meadow beyond for early/late season training.  Should have brought my skinny skis!  Beautiful spring day in the mountains.

One of Those Nordic Days

Don't try this at home!  Impressed by the skill demonstrated on skinny skis in this video.

One of Those Nordic Days

Northug again in the 50km Classic

Another gold for Northug (4 at these World Championships -19 overall for Norway including 11 gold).  Germany with 5 golds and Sweden with 2 golds next in the medals table.  The Norwegian women almost unbeatable right now.  A creditable 5th for Alex Harvey in the 50km. Winning time for Northug in the 50km was 2:26:02.
Article - World Championships 50km Classic

Lake Louise Loppet March 1, 2015

A beautiful day for the 43rd running of one of the older Canadian Loppets.  A couple of very fast icy downhills on the first 10 km loop.  Considering the recent weather, the course was in decent shape.  My lack of skiing this year was fully exposed in the last 5km or so.  A gentle 1hr and 55mins to complete the delightful 20km course.

Peter Loughheed Park, Kananaskis - Blueberry Hill

A great 30km ski last Friday to warm up for the Lake Louise Loppet on Sunday.  Conditions quite good at the higher part of the trail system, despite the general lack of snow and warm weather of the past few weeks in Southern Alberta.  This has to be is one of my favourite trails.  Part of the reward is the fantastic view at the top of Blueberry Hill.