Lloyds TSB by McCann for the Paralympics.

Is it me, or does it seem marketing rules are much more relaxed during the Paralympics? I don’t know if it’s because they are on Channel4, which will allow advertising packages to be bought from a sensible £100,000 for brands and small companies.

It seems like there either isn’t much in the media about LOCOG restrictions, or just plainly due to the fact there isn’t many restrictions at all.

Is this because they think the Paralympics won’t be watched by as many people in the world, which therefore means hardly anyone will see the marketing so they don’t have to protect the sponsors as much.

I mean even workers at TfL don’t seem to think there is an equal amount of coverage and money being spent on the opening/closing events.

I look forward to the Paralympics Opening Ceremony tonight, and hope you all do too!

A MINI Adventure.

I’m skeptical, and thinking with my PR side of my brain - I think this smells of subliminal corporate sponsorship, through product placement.

Why a Mini (apart from the fact that they are now owned by BMW - an official sponsor), why not a Ford or Vauxhall style cars? It’s obvious this is linked to the BMW deal.

Aside from the controversy and upset, I think this is a genius idea - both from the PR perspective but also technology wise. I mean, when has any huge sporting event though of this idea. It’s a great way to use something new and also grab the attention of the youngsters attending the event with family - or watching on TV.

Here’s the original article:

Fans at the Olympics have been chuckling at the sight of the miniature radio-controlled Minis which are being used to help out officials at the athletics.

The cars have been used to return javelins, discuses and hammers to competitors in the field events at London 2012, saving time and effort for all involved and adding a light-hearted element to the serious business at hand.

But the remote-controlled cars whizzing around the athletics stadium have triggered branding questions. The Olympic venues at the London Games are supposed to be strictly ad-free, but the use of the distinctive cars appears to be blatant advertising.

The International Olympic Committee ensures adverts or logos of products are not visible in the fields of play in line with its Olympic Charter despite sponsors paying hundreds of millions of dollars to be associated with the Games.

The Minis, made by German car manufacturer BMW who is also a Games sponsor, may not carry visible logos but are instantly recognisable for what they are.

However, they are not the iconic British-owned Minis produced from 1959-2000 but the new type produced by BMW.

“There is no commercial reason (behind choosing Minis),” said Timo Lumme, the IOC’s director of TV and marketing services, when asked if branding rules were being broken.

He said the choice as transporters for the athletes’ equipment was not dictated by a commercial decision.

Since the start of the athletics competitions last week, the Minis have instantly become a point of discussion with their use inside the stadium raising the questions of whether the IOC was indirectly relaxing its own strict ad rules.

He said the International Association of Athletics Federations, responsible for the track and field competitions at the Olympics, had cleared the use of the small vehicles.

“IAAF validates several different transporters. Yes, it happens to be the official partner of the London Games but there is no commercial delivery,” he told a news conference.

“There is no link between the sponsorship and the coverage of the physical fact that these are mini Minis on the field of play,” Lumme said.

The IOC’s rule on advertising states that no form of advertising or other publicity shall be allowed in and above the stadia, venues and other competition areas which are considered as part of the Olympic sites.

Commercial installations and advertising signs are not be allowed in the stadia, venues or other sports grounds.

There are three of these vehicles in total. Each puts in four-hour shifts across nine days of athletics competition, covering six kilometres per day.

The Mini also featured in the Games opening ceremony but again it was the new version and not the one symbolising iconic British post-war design.

“The bottom line is that the producer showed an individual quirkiness, a fantastically entertaining take on British history,” said Lumme of the car’s presence in the opening ceremony.

“The Mini is an incredibly known globally, British icon. Again Rule 50 compliant. No logos,” he said.

The London Games have received some £700m from sponsors wishing to be associated with the 2012 Olympics.

Eurosport / Reuters

The Shard. 5th July 2012. 10.15pm.

Tonight, a light show will cover the City of London as The Shard marks is completion. You will be able to see this magnificent light show if you’re in Central London from almost anywhere as the lights will span across the river and lead to 15 iconic landmarks.

This once in a lifetime event is happening due to the completion of Europe’s tallest building marking the inauguration, so be sure to take some amazing photos.