The question about every post-Olympics push is what opportunities are left to capitalize on when the world leaves the host country. While the Leverage Agency continues to sell the namin.rights for The Birds Nest and the Water Cube, marketers and local hosts look for the potential boon in tourism and historic significgtance in Beijing to keep interest alive.The Wall Street Journal took a look at the branding and tourism opportunities the Chinese government is pushing, while Mark Hyman in Business Week took a look at another group of athletes who this week are beginning to capitalize on their athletic prowess in Beijing…the paralympians (whose competition now begins on the heels of the regular Olympics).The quest for both groups to lure eyeballs and sponsor dollars is very similar, a.both the tourism group and the Paralympians are following closely in the footsteps of megahit without the draw of the world's media and attention. Whether either group can seize opportunity on the coattails of the Olympics remains to be seen, and if they are successful could be a great model for post-Olympic success in 2010 and beyond. The stories remain grand, but will the public and the media still want to hear them in comparison to the glory of Michael Phelps or Usian Bol.
Some other good reads…with Thursday kicking off the NFL season, the Washington Post has a good look at the worries the McCain camp has in football drawing eyes and attention away from the convention tonight…CNBC's Darren Rovell has a great look at the value, and the ride, of blimp economics…the New York Times has an in-depth look at the value of the Jets new training facility, while the Indy Star has a look at some famous Colts’ “firsts” as they move into their new stadium this weekend.
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