The Daily Telegraph carries ‘exclusive’ news today that Greg Searle is returning to competitive rowing. He is aiming to compete at London 2012. He would be 40 years of age at the time of the rowing finals. There is also a strong chance that the final could be 20 years to the day since he won gold at Barcelona.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/rowing/6818615/Greg-Searle-on-comeback-trail-to-date-with-destiny-at-London-2012-Olympics.html
This is not quite as ‘exclusive’ news within Lane4. We have known Greg was getting back in top class shape ever since Greg romped home to victory out of the blue at the Lane4 Grand National – our 5 quarterly mile handicap running race. There is still a long way to go of course, but we know Greg well enough to know he will leave no stone unturned.
Happily Greg will continue to work at Lane4 and with his clients as he moves along his journey – just as our Paralympian Clare Strange does. I have had the pleasure of being with Greg when he has shared his news in confidence with groups from two London 2012 sponsors. It has been fascinating to see their reactions. Although several of the individuals in the room work in and around the Olympic Games every day, the personal connection this news has created in the room was really compelling. Greg and London 2012 are already part of these organisations’ everyday working lives – Greg’s journey will bring these two elements together on a very personal level.
Sport meets business elsewhere in today’s Daily Telegraph. The header in the Business section has a shot of Tiger Woods, and reads, ‘With Friends Like Accenture…Tiger finds out the Hard Way’. The article criticises Accenture’s decision to pull out of their relationship with Tiger on the back of recent press revelations. It suggests Accenture’s investment has been spurious, and yet also that Tiger does not now deserve to be deserted. Whatever you make of the recent news, this is lazy and naive journalism. Accenture’s investment in Tiger to date has reaped Accenture massive dividends, but they are smart enough in a competitive market-place not to shout about it. They also have a brand to protect. They were right to be in the deal, and they are now right to pull out.
Modern sport at its best and worst in one edition of the Daily Telegraph. Good luck Greg - but don’t expect the same handicap in the Grand National next time mate!
Posts
A Minute with Alan® – The Short-Nosed Cisco
2 hours ago
Matt, what would be the impact on Accenture's brand if they hadn't ended the relationship? And what, if any, impact does this news have on businesses and their high profile sponsorship of individual performers??
ReplyDeleteIn my view continuing was not an option. Tiger was the ultimate image of repositioning Accenture from IT outsourcing gurus to high performance consultants. That is only sustainable as long as he represents high performance...and nothing else.
ReplyDeleteGenerally I am not a believer in individual sponsorship deals apart from product endorsement and short term promotions. Partnerships which offer the chance to tell stories at individual, team and organsational levels work far better for the B to B market. For example, hp's involvement with Formula One.