Unhealthy sponsors for the 2012 Olympics - thoughts?

Options
24567

Replies

  • slay0r
    slay0r Posts: 669 Member
    Options
    This is why I love my music festivals, the last one I went to had fresh chickens cooking and they did pulled pork etc with salad, yeah it comes in bread but it's not processed as hell, they had a noodlebar where they cooked fresh infront of you and then a kebab stand where it was made with loads of fresh ingredients. All £5 each and filled me up so much I couldn't have a snack..compare that to McDonalds where I spend £9 the other day on just myself and I was hungry 2 hours later.. yum..
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Options
    Was it DrNoodles?
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    Options
    It's an interesting topic though....

    If we push aside the are they/aren't they "healthy" debate fro McDonalds, Coke and Heineken and for the moment take them to be un-healthy.

    Who would you pick as a healthy alternative food supplier to sponsor the Olympics?
  • wantstolooseweight
    wantstolooseweight Posts: 166 Member
    Options
    Unfortunately they have the most money so they have the sponsorship, I don't think it creates the best impression for healthy lifestyles but at the end of the day their providing the money to run it... Advertising wont make me buy it though
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
    Options
    However I don't agree with the censorship thing. Whilst these companies may sponsor the event - as a result of people CHOOSING their business. What isn't right is comandeering the whole market at the event itself. Not everyone who watches the Olympics chooses to eat McDonalds fries (come on... in the UK CHIPS are so different... Fish n' Fries is NOT fish n chips by any stretch of the British imagination)... but they should be allowed to choose what to eat, what to drink and what to buy at the even itself.

    I agree the whole issue about the "chips embargo" is beyond a joke. It's forcing people to eat crap at McDs or stay away from the events.
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.

    But because of sponsorship embargos, at the events there is no choice. get with the programme.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-forces-olympics-to-ban-fries-2012-7
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.

    But because of sponsorship embargos, at the events there is no choice. get with the programme.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-forces-olympics-to-ban-fries-2012-7

    Oh, I'm "with the programme." I still don't disagree. I think it's an acceptable contract.
    If it wasn't worth it, it wouldn't have been done.
    It's not like they banned all food in Britain. Just fries sold individually at shops.

    When I go to a football game, all they serve is burgers, fries, beer, and nachos. Does that mean I am only allowed to eat those things? No. I have the mental capacity to bring something else if I want it.
    This is what happens when your city turns into a stadium. The good comes with the bad.
  • MellowGa
    MellowGa Posts: 1,258 Member
    Options
    I live near Atlanta which is home to Coke, did you happen to know they are the world's largest Juice and bottled water supplier? While Coke is thier name, they have a business model that beverages for all lifestyle's is their business.

    Can't speak for the other two, but I love beer, but not Heiny's
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Options
    Did someone just say that nobody watches the Olympics?
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Options
    Did someone just say that nobody watches the Olympics?

    NBC loses money hand over fist when they air the Olympics. Not enough viewers = less advertising revenue.
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.

    But because of sponsorship embargos, at the events there is no choice. get with the programme.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-forces-olympics-to-ban-fries-2012-7

    Oh, I'm "with the programme." I still don't disagree. I think it's an acceptable contract.
    If it wasn't worth it, it wouldn't have been done.
    It's not like they banned all food in Britain. Just fries sold individually at shops.

    When I go to a football game, all they serve is burgers, fries, beer, and nachos. Does that mean I am only allowed to eat those things? No. I have the mental capacity to bring something else if I want it.

    You think it's acceptable that 800 food outlets in a locality are forced to take their chips off the menu and for customers to be forced to eat McD's.

    And the "bring your own stuff" isn't quite as easy as you think. People have already been told they can't bring even their own bottle of water, but you have to buy some at the event.
  • Aperture_Science
    Aperture_Science Posts: 840 Member
    Options
    Did someone just say that nobody watches the Olympics?

    NBC loses money hand over fist when they air the Olympics. Not enough viewers = less advertising revenue.

    Maybe it's a US thing but 4billion people watched at least part of the Athens Olympics on TV.
  • laus_8882
    laus_8882 Posts: 217 Member
    Options
    I don't know... I've known quite a few serious athletes and they've all been big eaters, every one of them a fan of McDonalds. Frankly, I'm a fan of McDonalds but I'm not out on a field burning a few thousand calories leaping over things like a bloody horse, now am I? No chance I'll be enjoying three Big Macs for dinner anytime soon. More's the pity.

    Having worked in marketing I agree with the poster above who says it's just not feasible to have 'healthy' companies involved financially with an event like the Olympics. I can't even begin to imagine the cost of advertising during the opening ceremony; only the multinationals with huge advertising budgets are going to be able to afford these ads. I also can't see how smaller, organic, etc companies can offer sponsorship, not when the Olympics is costing billions and billions to stage.

    Still, what's wrong with a child enjoying a Happy Meal every few weeks or so after a morning of Saturday sport? I'd rather children learned to approach fast food responsibly and associated it with something positive, like the achievements of their favourite Olympians than view it as immoral and not to be gone near at any cost. That just sets the stage for disordered eating later in life.
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.

    But because of sponsorship embargos, at the events there is no choice. get with the programme.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-forces-olympics-to-ban-fries-2012-7

    Oh, I'm "with the programme." I still don't disagree. I think it's an acceptable contract.
    If it wasn't worth it, it wouldn't have been done.
    It's not like they banned all food in Britain. Just fries sold individually at shops.

    When I go to a football game, all they serve is burgers, fries, beer, and nachos. Does that mean I am only allowed to eat those things? No. I have the mental capacity to bring something else if I want it.

    You think it's acceptable that 800 food outlets in a locality are forced to take their chips off the menu and for customers to be forced to eat McD's.

    And the "bring your own stuff" isn't quite as easy as you think. People have already been told they can't bring even their own bottle of water, but you have to buy some at the event.

    Would I want that sort of restriction? No.
    But crap like that goes down all the time when the Olympics roll through.
    Like I said, good with the bad.
  • futuremalestripper
    futuremalestripper Posts: 467 Member
    Options
    Did someone just say that nobody watches the Olympics?

    NBC loses money hand over fist when they air the Olympics. Not enough viewers = less advertising revenue.

    Maybe it's a US thing but 4billion people watched at least part of the Athens Olympics on TV.

    That's probably true. It may be very popular in other countries. I just know in the U.S., it's a big loss to air it and most broadcasters don't even bid for it because it's such a drain. I only know of one friend that even watches it. Everyone else I'm familiar with hates the Olympics. I myself MIGHT watch the finals in Hockey if Team Canada makes it, but that would be it.
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Options
    Hi,

    I'm just watching Newsnight and there's been a section on the sponsors of the London 2012 Olympics.

    Basically the sponsors include Macdonalds, Coca Cola and Heineken. In fact, I've just looked on the website and there are no healthy sponsors at all!

    I was just wondering if you thought this was wrong and that it's promoting the wrong things to the public, especially children? Or that it's just sponsorship and it doesn't matter?

    Personally I think such an event that promotes fitness and health should have the sponsors to match!

    Just thought it would be interesting to see what people thought :)

    You mean to say that I won't get healthy eating Big Macs and drinking pints of Coke??? But that's what Olympic Champions eat all day, is it not???

    And yes, I agree. It's a complete joke.
  • Kara_xxx
    Kara_xxx Posts: 635 Member
    Options
    Judging by this article in The Guardian a family won't be allowed to bring their own food. It will be confiscated during bag searches.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2012/may/11/olympic-food-prices-hard-to-swallow
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Options
    Judging by this article in The Guardian a family won't be allowed to bring their own food. It will be confiscated during bag searches.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/blog/2012/may/11/olympic-food-prices-hard-to-swallow

    You do get the feeling the Beijing managers have been flown over to organise the London Olympics. ;)
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    Options
    Who cares? First - almost no one watches the Olympics anyways... but even then, who cares who sponsors it?
    Would you be offended if Viagra sponsored your kids little league team? I wouldn't. They aren't going out and handing free samples to the kids, they are just putting their name out and the adults that are interested will purchase their product. You don't have to agree with someone to take their money and you can't choose your own customers or you'll never have any. There is a strip club nearby with big signs. Just because they have a big sign I see, doesn't mean I am going to go there. It only makes me aware of its presence. People = free choice.

    Actually, Viagra was an official sponsor of Major League Baseball after launch. I know this because I was on the pfizer team that implemented this. We decided to sponsor MLB because lots of people watch it...just like LOTS of people watch the Olympics. You might choose NOT to watch the games, but be assured, many millions around the world categorically WILL.

Categories