Olympic sponsors Coca-Cola and Samsung are benefitting most out of the olympics after having the best social media performance according to business information group, health Precise.

In looking at the different ways people were referring to the brands on blogs, help forums, Twitter, Facebook, videos and images, both brands had the greatest share of voice and sentiment.

The research conducted by Precise – carried out in the two weeks until 31 July covering the last days of the Torch Relay, the Opening Ceremony and the first few days of competition – found that sponsor sentiment scores range from +89 to -7. Samsung’s favourability is highest with a score of +89; McDonald’s is bottom of the table with -7 mainly due to negative comments and people questioning the fit of the events with the brand. Criticisms around the restrictions placed on what can be sold at Olympic venues have also harmed the brand.

Research also found 12 per cent of conversations about Coca-Cola and five per cent about Samsung directly mention the Torch Relay, the genuine engagement with the Relay had a positive increase on these brands. Coca-Cola’s prominent role in the Torch Relay managed to tap into the excitement around the games.

Samsung’s product placement within the Opening Ceremony was also found to have resonance, one third of messages mentioning Samsung have direct relation to the Opening Ceremony. Even though the brand name and logo was not in view, use of the phones proved to be the single most significant boost to the brand within social media.

Brand ambassadors have also played a role in the success of Samsung and Coca-Cola on social media. Samsung’s association with David Beckham and Zara Phillips, and support of athlete Jenna Randall, has also curried favour for the brand on social networks. Coca-Cola has also benefitted from its association with music artists Mark Ronson and Katy B.

Head of brand insight at Precise, James Withey, commented: “This summer of sport stands out as being the most social ever. Social media has seen explosive growth over the last few years. This provides the sponsors with new battleground for brand visibility, and a new way to measure the success of their investment.

“Investing in sponsorship does not automatically curry good favour. The winning brands will be those that are seen to play a meaningful role and bring real benefits to people.”

European Champions, Spain have banned their players from using social media sites, Twitter and Facebook.

This follows Denmark’s decision to do the same.

Barcelona player Cesc Fabregas tweeted in English on June 1: ‘From today we are not allowed to use social networks, I wish that the next picture I post will be with the Euro Cup. See you soon!’

English players will be allowed to continue Tweeting during the Euros but the FA will give them guidelines to follow to ensure they do not cause any trouble during the tournament.

England captain Steven Gerrard told a news conference on Friday: “We’ve been told not to be tweeting anything unnecessary.”

Austin’s City Council may jeopardise plans to use US$25m of Texas tax dollars to bring a Formula One race to the state’s capital.

Former Travis County tax collector Bill Aleshire, sick who sued to block the subsidy, sale said: “If the City Council decides not to endorse this, there’s no way the comptroller can move the funds because the city is required to be a partner.”

Local approval is needed for the project to proceed.

Texas investors including Clear Channel Communications Inc. co-founder B.J. “Red” McCombs are building a 3.4 mile (5.5km) track to bring Formula One racing back to the U.S. Critics, including Senator Dan Patrick, a Houston Republican, have questioned the subsidy as the state cut costs to close a two-year deficit estimated to be at least US$15bn.

The Austin council last week delayed voting on the plan that commits state funds to the car races each year for a decade.

With 20 million Texans within 250 miles of Austin and a growing Formula One fan base in Mexico, supporters of the bid feel the race would be successful. Formula One’s last U.S. race was run in Indianapolis in 2007.

Construction of the $242 million track, which has begun, is projected to add 1,300 temporary jobs and pump $400 million into the economy. The venue will seat 120,000 fans.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) chief executive Andy Hunt believes the body is closer than ever before to establishing ground-rules paving the way for non-English soccer stars such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to represent Britain at London 2012.

Hunt stated: “I have been at this for over two years. I am incredibly positive that we will get to an outcome where we will field a men’s and a women’s football team.

“We have got some final things to resolve…but I am incredibly positive. More positive than I have ever been before when asked that question.”

The appearance of genuinely British soccer teams at the London Olympics is dependent on the four Home Nations allowing their players to take part, if selected and if they wish to do so.

The Football Associations of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have all opposed the idea in the past, fearing that their future independence to enter national teams for competitions such as the European Championships and the World Cup would be jeopardised.

Pressure has mounted from the Association’s own stars to change tack, with Wales captain Ramsey last month joining international team-mate Bale in stating publicly that he wants to represent Britain in next year’s Olympic tournament.

If ground-rules on selection cannot be agreed, it could lead to the embarrassment of a 2012 Olympic tournament without British teams – a scenario likely to be a severe disappointment to many fans.

However, Hunt added: “Any policy that is discriminatory would be in breach of the Olympic Charter, it’s as simple as that.

“That’s why it was never acceptable to us to have a selection policy that may have only been for English players.”

Alan Zucker has been promoted to senior vice president of clients and managing director of talent marketing for leading sports and media firm IMG.

In reporting to Sandy Montag, senior corporate vice president of IMG Sports and Entertainment, Zucker will now assist him in all areas of IMG’s Clients business unit, including broadcasting, coaching and speakers.

Zucker has been with the company for 15 years and on a day-to-day basis, handles the management, marketing and sales of Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Matthew Stafford, Joe Montana, Jim Nantz, Danica Patrick, and Joe Mauer. Zucker negotiates their marketing endorsements, manages connections to the NFLPA, creates revenue for their foundations and charities and drives all other revenue producing income off of the field. 

Zucker also works hand in hand with IMG’s individual talent agents across all divisions to assist them in developing corporate relationships. Some of that talent has included Maria Sharapova, Arnold Palmer, Venus Williams, Alex Ovechkin, Peggy Fleming, Gisele, Dick Vitale, Billie Jean King, Lindsey Vonn, Kristi Yamaguchi and John Madden.

FIFA have postponed the final test event in Sao Paulo further dampening preparations for the World Cup in Brazil.

Following concerns from local authorities, football’s international governing body revealed on Wednesday that the match scheduled for May 29 has been moved to the following Sunday to avoid disrupting the city’s “operational routine” on a working day.

FIFA said it also decided to stage the game on a weekend to ensure it attracts more than 50,000 fans needed to properly test the venue.

Less than 40,000 people attended the first test match at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo last weekend, when the 20,000 temporary seats being added for the opening game of the tournament couldn’t be used.

The new test event will be staged less than two weeks before the high-profile opener between Brazil and Croatia on June 12, when 70,000 fans and guests are expected.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Twitter: “It is vital for us that all facilities will be tested under full match conditions – including the temporary seats and associated facilities.”

The change in date comes amid a bus strike in Sao Paulo that has created chaos for people trying to get to work in the South American metropolis already known for its challenging rush-hour traffic.

FIFA said in a statement that it was a “request from local authorities” to have the match on a weekend to “reduce the impact on the city’s operational routine”.

FIFA said it was important to have another test match at the Itaquerao “given the attention drawn from the opening match.”

Only one test event had been initially scheduled for the Itaquerao because it was among the most delayed stadiums for the World Cup. The venue was expected to be completed by the end of last year, but two construction accidents that killed a total of three workers caused significant delays.

Among the problems last weekend were a leaking roof and faulty communications for fans and journalists.

 

English League Two team Dagenham & Redbridge have announced David Andrews’ has stepped down as chairman with David Bennett replacing him as chairman.

Bennett told the club’s official website: “I am immensely honoured to be given the role and I hope I can bring some fresh ideas to the role but the main aim, as ever, is to be as competitive as possible.”

Andrews, a former player/manager of the club, became chairman in 1976 when they were known as Leytonstone.