Need to Know: Olympics Marketing
The Olympics are coming up quickly! We know it can be tempting to do an Olympics Board (looking at you Charcuterie friends) or promotion but just like the Super Bowl, there’s a few things you need to know so you can play nice. Because trust us, you don’t want to get in trouble with the Olympics.
Also, because you know we love a good strategy it feels like a good time to note that marketing around the Olympics may not be relevant for you (jewelry brand), just because it’s big doesn’t mean it’s relevant or on brand or in line with your strategy. So please, only touch it if it makes sense. Charcuterie friends, we think it does make sense for you – it’s a use occasion. Alright, with that out of the way. Let’s get into it.
No 01: Do not use trademarked or related terms that may infer a correlation to the Olympics
The USOPC owns many trademarks including:
- Olympic
- Olympiad
- Olympian
- Future Olympian
- Go for the Gold
- Gateway to Gold
- Let the games begin
- Olympians made here
- Tokyo 2020
- Road to Tokyo
- Team USA
Other terms that may infer Olympics:
- Victory
- Games
- Bronze
- Gold
- Medal
- Silver
- Tokyo
No 02: Do not use their logos or anything too close to their logos (seriously, we had to have this conversation with a brand you’d recognize recently – like no you can’t recreate the rings out of onion rings/chicken rings/tires).
In summary, I know it’s tempting but we recommend you skip this as a marketing pillar or objective as best you can. If you have specific questions for how to capitalize on the Olympics momentum without infringing on their copyright, feel free to reach out to us directly. We have some ideas.
For all the details from Team USA, you can read more here.
Please note: This is for educational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. This website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed professional attorney in your state.
