While we are on the subject of big brands and their reputations, what is up with the Olympics? Jeff Jarvis sums the situation up very well. I guess we are really talking about two brands since NBC is taking a hit as well.
I think one of Jeff's best points is that the Olympics is the classic case of a brand with too many small audiences today. Those that are interested in one sport may not care about the others. The big Olympic spirit that used to enrapture us every four years has ebbed. Moving the Games to every two years and splitting the summer and winter games did not help.
Two things killed the Olympics:
1) NBA Dream Team which essentially obliteraed the Olympic ideal
2) The fall of the Berlin Wall and the Evil Empire
There is no rooting interest and now its Team USA that is on roids and stock full of growth hormones and not the East Germans.
Posted by: excitable boy | Friday, February 17, 2006 at 03:29 PM
I remember we all stopped to watch the Olympics. This time, no one cares, at least not among me or my friends.
¶ Another reason could be that professionals are now allowed to compete. In the past, there was just more of a connection between amateurs who did well, and the rest of us. The Olympics are now “just another” sporting event, nothing more.
Posted by: Jack Yan | Friday, February 17, 2006 at 07:10 PM