I love creative marketing campaigns, and I think P&G is really smart to recognize a niche group watching the Olympics-- the moms. I mean, I don't relate to this commercial directly cause I'm not a mom yet, but my own mom loves this one, and she totally agrees, so I think P&G is really striking a chord. In fact, I do think this commercial is true in a lot of ways, cause even though I'm an adult in my mid-20s, my mom still gives me smooches and treats me like a kid (um, not of the weirdo, dysfunctional family kind, but in a cute way..). Anyways, as the Olympics draw to a close (not before Queen Yu-Na skates tonight!!), watch this and smile. And go hug your momma.
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Thursday, February 25, 2010
To Their Moms, They'll Always Be Kids
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Figure Skating!
There was a time in my life when I used to be reallllly into figure skating (watching, NOT doing), and that was because I idolized the greatest figure skater of MY generation-- Michelle Kwan. Michelle is probably (and unfortunately so) known to many as the great skater with one accolade missing from her collection, the Olympic gold medal. However, I know her as the graceful, classy athlete who is the most decorated figure skater in the history of US skating. When Michelle stopped competing, I stopped watching. And so, I haven't been excited about figure skating, until now. Last night was the short program portion of the female figure skating competition at the Olympics, and there is a reason why it is the most watched Winter Olympic event. Drama Drama Drama! LOVES IT.
In one corner you have the world reigning champion, Yuna Kim, a 19 year old from South Korea who is not only considered the greatest figure skater skating today, but quickly cemented herself as one of the greatest figure skaters of all time. The biggest celebrity of her nation, she has the weight of Korea's expectations on her shoulders, so much so that she can't even live and train in Korea. Her match with Mao Asada, an equally talented 19 year old from Japan, is the stuff scripted dramas are made of. Both carry the weight of their country's pressure on their shoulders, both are multi-millionaire celebrities, both are expected to bring home the gold and once and for all settle the rivalry between the girls' respective nations. And if drama and rivalry aren't your things, then you have tragedy: the current 3rd place finisher, Canadian Joannie Rochette, is skating a mere 2 days after the sudden death of her mother. Emotional stuff!
Tomorrow brings the conclusion of the exciting competition, and while Yuna Kim has the commanding lead at the moment, anything can happen by tomorrow night's end. My current prediction though, mirrors the current standings at the moment:
Gold: Yuna Kim (South Korea)
Silver: Mao Asada (Japan)
Bronze: Joannie Rochette (Canada)
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
2008 Entertainers of the Year: 3) 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
What to say about the month of August '08 other than that it was freakin' awesome. And it was so awesome for one reason- the Beijing Olympics, or the Games of the XXIX Olympiad as it is officially known. For 16ish glorious days, we were treated to a barrage of 10,500 athletes, 302 events, 28 sports, 43 new world records and 132 new Olympics records set. In the US, NBC Universal paid lots of money for the sole rights of broadcasting the Olympics, and it paid off- the Summer Games became the most viewed event in American TV history, with 211 million people tuning in for the 16 days of coverage. Worldwide, some 4.7 billion viewers watched the Games, compared to 3.9 billion who tuned into the 2004 Athens Games.
The 2008 Summer Olympics was so entertaining for numerous reasons. We had the stars- the record breaking Michael Phelps, the "World's Fastest Man" Usain Bolt, the director of the spectacular Opening Ceremony Zhang Yimou. We had the heartbreak- Chinese hurdler/national hero Liu Xiang unable to compete in his home country due to a busted Achilles tendon, US men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon's father in law dying of wounds from a knife-wielding man on the first full day of competition. And oh, the controversies- people protesting China's human rights abuses and crackdown in Tibet, which made the Olympic torch relay difficult, threats of terrorist attacks, and boycotts before the Games, and of course, questioning the age of the Chinese women's gymnast team, most of whom barely looked 12, let alone the minimum competing age of 16.
All in all, controversies and pre-Games worries aside, the 2008 Beijing Olympics is widely received to be a logistical success, as well as boosting the national pride of the Chinese people, who fought so hard to be a host of the Games. I was not as invested in the Athens Games 4 years ago, and so the 2008 Games made me realize just how amazing the Olympics are. The dedication and perseverance of the athletes, who spend pretty much 4 years of their lives training and training for this one moment on the world's biggest stage, it's pretty amazing to think about. And it shined the spotlight on some of my faves- the 41 year old swimmmer Dara Torres and the bubbly gymnast Shawn Johnson- proving that the Olympics really are about anyone and everyone- young and old, from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth. Amazing. See you in London, 2012!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Douchebag Award
It’s the same old same old, you’re losing takeoff at the big heights. (shrugs)
Whaddaya gonna do? (shrugs, looks away) Gotta learn to keep takeoff. You got
caught at that meat grinder. I did not - and I told 10 people - I didn’t wanna
be caught in a meat grinder between 65 and 80. You had to, though. You weren’t
on, your warmup didn’t go well. You were at 55. You got caught up in that meat
grinder. Whaddaya gonna do? (shrugs, looks away) Whaddaya gonna do? (shrugs,
looks away) Didn’t have the legs. Her legs are fresh. Hey, it’s a silver medal.
Not bad for someone that’s been pole vaulting for four years. (looks down at his
blackberry)
These are the words coach Rick Suhr had for Jenn Stuczynski after she won the silver medal for pole vaulting. Stuczynski lost to the best pole vaulter ever and she gets a "not bad" from her coach. Bravo, Mr. Suhr. You have clearly earned the gold medal for douchebaggery. Truly an inspiration for other douchebags sure to follow in your footsteps.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
While you were sleeping... OLYMPICS edition, Pt. 3
Phelps gives NBC best ratings
Oh, did you hear? Phelps won his 8th gold medal on Saturday night, becoming the greatest Olympian ever. You know who's the most happy about that? NBC. 31.1 million tuned in on Saturday night, giving the network its best Saturday night ratings in 18 years, and in the half hour the Americans were swimming, as many as 39.9 million were tuned in. This has been the most viewed Summer Olympics in years, helping to justify the $894 million NBC Universal paid for the American television rights. The numbers have plummeted some this second week, with the more popular events- swimming (esp with Phelps) and gymnastics out of the way, but I think it's safe to say NBC will retain the chance for these Games to be the most watched Olympics ever.
Phelps rolling in endorsements
I promise to stop talking about Phelps after this one! Prior to the games, he was making around $5 million/year. After his record breaking run at these Olympics, experts are predicting anywhere from $30-50 million/year. Ummm.... hello, Michael Phelps! My number is 201-555... ;) I may be a little bit late on that boat, there are rumors of his supposed love life floating around the internets already.
Liu Xiang pulls out of the Olympics
Where as you have victorious stories like Phelps's, the Olympics also spell heartbreak for the hundreds of athletes who don't get to stand on a podium. Such is the case with Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, who in China, is the equivalent of Phelps here. He became the first gold-medalist for China in track and field in Athens 4 years ago, and since then, he's become a national hero of epic proportions- endorsements, billboards, magazine covers. The entire country had been waiting for his hurdle race, as he was to defend his title in his home country. A flared tendon combined with a right hamstring injury, which was not helped by a false start during the race, forced him to walk off the field on Sunday, leaving 91,000 fans stunned, as well as the entire country crushed. I can just imagine how badly he wanted to finish the race, and the kind of pressure he must have been under to deliver, despite his body betraying him. Sad sad sad.
Shawn Johnson finally wins gold
The 16-year old World Champion finally won gold in the balance beams, the last gymnastics event, after racking up 3 silvers at these Games. A heavy favorite to win the all-around, she finished second to teammate Nastia Liukin, before also being edged for gold on the floor exercises as well as in the team competition. I think she's so cute and I was rooting for her, so I'm glad she finally got a gold.
Oh, did you hear? Phelps won his 8th gold medal on Saturday night, becoming the greatest Olympian ever. You know who's the most happy about that? NBC. 31.1 million tuned in on Saturday night, giving the network its best Saturday night ratings in 18 years, and in the half hour the Americans were swimming, as many as 39.9 million were tuned in. This has been the most viewed Summer Olympics in years, helping to justify the $894 million NBC Universal paid for the American television rights. The numbers have plummeted some this second week, with the more popular events- swimming (esp with Phelps) and gymnastics out of the way, but I think it's safe to say NBC will retain the chance for these Games to be the most watched Olympics ever.
Phelps rolling in endorsements
I promise to stop talking about Phelps after this one! Prior to the games, he was making around $5 million/year. After his record breaking run at these Olympics, experts are predicting anywhere from $30-50 million/year. Ummm.... hello, Michael Phelps! My number is 201-555... ;) I may be a little bit late on that boat, there are rumors of his supposed love life floating around the internets already.
Liu Xiang pulls out of the Olympics
Where as you have victorious stories like Phelps's, the Olympics also spell heartbreak for the hundreds of athletes who don't get to stand on a podium. Such is the case with Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, who in China, is the equivalent of Phelps here. He became the first gold-medalist for China in track and field in Athens 4 years ago, and since then, he's become a national hero of epic proportions- endorsements, billboards, magazine covers. The entire country had been waiting for his hurdle race, as he was to defend his title in his home country. A flared tendon combined with a right hamstring injury, which was not helped by a false start during the race, forced him to walk off the field on Sunday, leaving 91,000 fans stunned, as well as the entire country crushed. I can just imagine how badly he wanted to finish the race, and the kind of pressure he must have been under to deliver, despite his body betraying him. Sad sad sad.
Shawn Johnson finally wins gold
The 16-year old World Champion finally won gold in the balance beams, the last gymnastics event, after racking up 3 silvers at these Games. A heavy favorite to win the all-around, she finished second to teammate Nastia Liukin, before also being edged for gold on the floor exercises as well as in the team competition. I think she's so cute and I was rooting for her, so I'm glad she finally got a gold.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
While you were sleeping... OLYMPICS edition, Pt. 2
Michael Phelps, the winningest Olympian everrrr
He won his fifth gold medal in Beijing, which puts him at an 11 career gold medals, and well on his way to: a) tying Mark Spitz for the most gold won in a single Olympic game (the record is 7) and b) attempting to win gold in every single event he's in, which would be 8, and c) becoming the most winningest Olympian EVER. Three more to go- a race today, Fri, and Sat. Oh, and he's also been breaking world records in every single one of those events, despite things like his goggles malfunctioning during his first race on Tuesday.
He won his fifth gold medal in Beijing, which puts him at an 11 career gold medals, and well on his way to: a) tying Mark Spitz for the most gold won in a single Olympic game (the record is 7) and b) attempting to win gold in every single event he's in, which would be 8, and c) becoming the most winningest Olympian EVER. Three more to go- a race today, Fri, and Sat. Oh, and he's also been breaking world records in every single one of those events, despite things like his goggles malfunctioning during his first race on Tuesday.
The Chinese women's gymnastics team win the gold
The US women's team settles for a silver after a disappointing night on Tuesday. The win for the Chinese is under a cloud of suspicion though, with many questioning the legitimacy of the women's age. 16 is the minimum age to be able to compete at the Olympics in gymnastics; most of the girls on the Chinese team, all weighing under 100 lbs and being under 5 ft, look like little girls. Their passports were issued by the Chinese government, who has stated repeatedly in the past of their intent to win win win at these games, so.... Not to take anything away from their win though, they were amazing.
The Spanish basketball teams are douchebags
Members of the Spanish men's and women's basketball team are finally apologizing for an advertisement in which they are photographed making Asian-caricature faces, you know the pulling of the eyes to make them 'slanty.' Real nice, folks. Way to piss off not only your gracious hosts, but like 60% of the world human population. Who still does this besides little 6 year olds who don't know any better? Oh, and the team's coach's declined to apologize for the incident saying that it was meant to be a joke- "All of the Spanish people are close to the Chinese people mentally," he said. "We have a very good relationship." What does it mean to be close mentally? Yeah, I couldn't figure it out either.
No medal for Roger Federer
US tennis player James Blake ended favorite Roger Federer's bid for his first Olympic singles medal in the quarterfinals. Kinda stunning, considering in their previous eight matches, Blake had only won a single set (NOT game). Sorry hardcore tennis fans, this means no Federer-Nadal match at the finals on Sunday that tennis fans had been hoping for. Blake is also the only US male left in the games.
Random Olympic Facts and Figures
6: Consecutive archery gold medals for the South Korean women's team.
17: Number of events Michael Phelps plans to swim in nine days.
204: Nations competing at the Beijing Games.
The Spanish basketball teams are douchebags
Members of the Spanish men's and women's basketball team are finally apologizing for an advertisement in which they are photographed making Asian-caricature faces, you know the pulling of the eyes to make them 'slanty.' Real nice, folks. Way to piss off not only your gracious hosts, but like 60% of the world human population. Who still does this besides little 6 year olds who don't know any better? Oh, and the team's coach's declined to apologize for the incident saying that it was meant to be a joke- "All of the Spanish people are close to the Chinese people mentally," he said. "We have a very good relationship." What does it mean to be close mentally? Yeah, I couldn't figure it out either.
No medal for Roger Federer
US tennis player James Blake ended favorite Roger Federer's bid for his first Olympic singles medal in the quarterfinals. Kinda stunning, considering in their previous eight matches, Blake had only won a single set (NOT game). Sorry hardcore tennis fans, this means no Federer-Nadal match at the finals on Sunday that tennis fans had been hoping for. Blake is also the only US male left in the games.
Random Olympic Facts and Figures
6: Consecutive archery gold medals for the South Korean women's team.
17: Number of events Michael Phelps plans to swim in nine days.
204: Nations competing at the Beijing Games.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Stat Of The Day
Michael Phelps fever has engulfed Life In Boxes. Speaking of engulfing, did you know that Michael Phelps consumes anywhere between 8000-10000 calories per day. That's as much four grown men should eat. That's about 1000 calories per gold medal.
Fuel for Phelps - For more amazing video clips, click here
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
While you were sleeping... OLYMPICS edition, Pt.1
The 2008 Beijing Olympics kicked off last Friday, and I am so glad. I am absolutely loving the excitement, the wins, the disappointments, the heroes, and the all-around thrill of it all. Here is a short recap of some of my personal highlights so far.
1 Billion watch the Opening Ceremonies
That would be 15 percent of the world population tuning in for the spectacular, 4.5 hours, $300 million costing, Zhang Yimou directed ceremonies. I finally watched it last night, and I was super impressed with the high-tech, artistically-driven show, as well as the unity of seeing all these world countries and its athletes come together.
Americans win the 4x100 free relay
This story had all the makings of a GREAT win- smack talking, underdogs, an Olympian's quest for the record books on the line. Jason Lezak, the oldest man on the US Swimming Team, slowly but surely pulling ahead of the French in the last 25 meters of the race to clinch the gold, by a fingertip? Pure adrenaline rush. This is how exciting this race was, I got so worked up, that I couldn't fall asleep. Maybe I'm a dork, sure, but this is what the Olympics are made of.
Probably the most talked about athlete of all who is competing at the Olympics this summer, this 23 year old American's bid to win an unprecendented 8 gold medals includes 9 days of races. So far, he's well on his way: as of this morning, he's won 3 of the races he's been in, which includes the aforementioned 4x100 freestyle relay. The 3rd gold medal he won gives him a ninth career win, which ties the record Mark Spitz has for the most in Olympics history (only 4 other athletes can claim that feat). He looks like a lithe, super long frat boy, though my parents think he's strangely "retarded" looking (their words, not mine!!). I think he's uber cute and I'm totally rooting for him.
Kerri Walsh loses her wedding ring in sand
Kerri Walsh, one half of the gold-medalists beach volleyball team with partner Misty May-Treanor, lost her wedding ring during their victorious game against Japan. She had to wait for 5 more matches to be played on the same sand before Chinese authorities swooped in with metal detectors and found the ring. Lesson learned, don't wear your valuables during sports!!The Office promo
NBC payed over $900 million for coverage of the Olympics. So they're going to take advantage of all the eyeballs that are glued to their network by promoting the hell out of their upcoming fall shows. This Office promo, filmed specifically for airing during the Olympics, makes me uber excited about the return of the show (Sept 25!!). Woohooo!!!
Medal count so far
USA: 21, China: 20, South Korea: 12, Italy: 9, Australia: 9. I don't know why I bothered doing this, cause in about, oh, I don't know, an hour? the tally will probably change.
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