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Seven reassures advertisers Olympics on track

"We are in constant and direct communication with the AOC & the IOC at the very highest levels," says Seven.

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Seven has issued a statement to its media buyers surrounding speculation around the Olympic Games in July.

Kurt Burnette, Chief Revenue Officer & Director of Olympics Seven West Media said in a statement, “This morning we gathered our Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Partners and their Agencies for an exciting and comprehensive presentation of how Seven West Media’s programming, production, marketing and digital strategies will bring their brands to life across all of our platforms to harness the great power of the Games.

“As news intensifies about COVID-19 in Australia and throughout the world, there has been speculation regarding the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“We are in constant and direct communication with the AOC and the IOC at the very highest levels. In turn, they are in continual discussions with the Federal Government here, in Japan, and with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“They are providing us with very detailed updates on all aspects of operations regarding health and safety. In summary, the status is that the Games are on track and all plans are for a successful Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to proceed as planned.

“To quote the IOC:

‘We are preparing for a successful Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020,’ Bach said in Lausanne. ‘I would like to encourage all the athletes to continue their preparation for the Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020 with great confidence and full steam. From our side, we will continue to support the athletes and the national Olympic committees.’

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said in no uncertain terms: ‘We are going to have the Games on July 24.’

In a letter from Matt Carroll, Chief Executive Officer of the AOC, confirming their position to Seven West Media’s CEO, James Warburton, they wrote:

‘Our message to athletes and sports is keep training and preparing for the Games. The AOC and AIS will keep you informed and take all necessary steps to mitigate disruptions and protect your health.’

“Like the athletes, our News, Sport and Production teams continue to prepare for what will be the biggest event we have ever seen. Preparing to bring the most inspiring, magical and unexpected moments to Australians’ lounge rooms and mobile devices. Importantly, bringing some much needed positivity to our screens.

“From an advertising perspective, the dynamic market is well and truly open and there is a lot of opportunity for all brands to get involved. We have it covered, whether it be broadcast, BVOD, social, or a combination of all.”

Burnette added, “It would be remiss of us not to address the very unlikely scenario that the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are postponed or cancelled. In this instance SWM will work with you to find an alternative solution on mutually agreeable terms. Should a suitable alternative not be agreed upon, any of your booked campaign that has not gone to air will be refunded.”

21 Responses

  1. Absolutely no chance it happens this year. Southern hemisphere countries haven’t even started traditional flu season, so just as Japan and Asia are recovering, southern countries can transport the virus back up again.

  2. Well if 7 say so it’ll be fine.

    I think and hope by mid-July most restrictions will be a thing of the past. The bigger problem is all the qualification events in the months leading up to the event are being cancelled

        1. Yep, thanks I do know that…I was just suggesting they may do something similar to the Grand Prix and let it run but exclude crowds.Who knows what the powers that be will decide

          1. Once again…that would be thousands of athletes travelling from all over the world even without the crowds there.

          2. There is no way it’s going ahead – host countries spend hundreds of millions to host so they can attract tourism. This situation ends any possibility of recouping money as people won’t (or can’t) travel.

    2. Think about the disease spreading potential in an Olympic village. Just look at their condom budget.
      Entertainment is going to have to take a backseat while we try to stop millions of people dying. And it will take years, unless a vaccine is found. Think about what happened during WWII, people managed to survive without sport and entertainment for a few years.

      Look at how Italy went from 3 confirmed cases and “everything under control” to 1000 dead and the complete collapse of the healthcare system to the point were they are considering triaging ventilator access and letting the elderly die, in less than month.

      Man plans, and God laughs.

  5. If it is cancelled and its looking highly likely I agree with the postponing it ,they have spent some 25 billion dollars and it’s wrong just for them not to have the opportunity to show them to the world.
    On another point ,if these games do go south what will 7 end up showing ,another pooch perfect series ,woof.

  7. Heard a suggestion today the Olympics could be postponed rather than cancelled. (Cancellation was previously described as the only option other than pressing ahead).
    I think postponement a far better option. This should have all blown over in a years time and I hate to think Japan would put all that effort into the games and build all the venues all for nothing. Sure that would mean next year’s sporting calendar would have to be rearranged but surely the Olympics is the pinnacle of sport and should come first.

    1. Just a bit pathetic that someone finds it funny that a whole bunch of people will be losing income because of major events being cancelled. Especially in this case when 7 have done nothing wrong. It’s not just the athletes & the TV production companies, it’s people working in catering & hotels affected too.

      1. Don’t agree with you here. If you know how olympics coverage works – perm staff, syndication, etc..; on another note, believe it or not – not only “tv people” will lose work.
        Whether what you think of Corona TVAddict – it will affect many peoples jobs.

  9. they are living in fantasy land, or perhaps they know deep down the reality but don’t want to say so to try & stop people panicking & withdrawing their sponsorship $ now rather than later

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