London Olympics vs ICC World Cup

Just received a spam mail asking me to submit my CV for the London Olympics. So I went to the website to figure out more. The official website of London Olympics 2012 also has a section where they're seeking involvement from people to collaborate and participate in making the 2012 Olympics a grand success. They also have a dedicated section, giving details about tickets sales. Clearly someone is doing the right thinking and going about executing it to perfection. The best part, they're transparent, like it should be.

Now look at us in India. We're holding the ICC World Cup. Go to the website and you see the difference. Bad website. Hardly any information. Poor user experience. Absolutely no buzz. Not much talks about cricket in the cafes or college canteens. BCCI/ ICC didn't bother involving people before the games. No collaboration, no jobs for talented young people for making the games a grand success. Instead cops are beating up people waiting outside the stadiums to buy tickets. I mean, come'on. Even sports is corrupt in India. But why on earth is has to be like this? Why?

You see, success of a game depends as much on the level of involvement the organizing committee can create even before the games start. Thats why FIFA/ Wimbledon/ Olympics are so successful every time. the passion and dedication of the organizing committee to involve people right from the very beginning. Simple lessons for us to learn and then implement those learnings. Sports engage people. Sports brings people together. So why take that extra effort in alienating people and driving them away instead of making them partners? Yes I do feel very sad at the state of affairs in my country.

Tigers in tension

The Indian sub-continent is very hot at the moment. Everyone is sweating over the Cricket World Cup. The minnows are the new majors. Bangladesh is the new Tiger. Pakistan is knocked out, Bob Woolmer is dead, Inzy has declared his retirement. Sri Lankans are beating opponents miserably. And back at home, Dhoni’s new house under construction is now rubble. Effigies of Viru are being burnt and Dravid have been asked to keep his gob shut.

Emotions are high to be very honest. We Indians love our cricket. No wonder cricket stars are often the highest paid brand endorsers for the love and patronage they get from the Indian fans. What happens if India fails to win? No, am not bothered about the game or the shattered Indian pride. Am more concerned about the brands and the millions being paid to our cricketing stars.

Withdrawing all ads featuring our failed stars on air and print is an easy solution. What about the brand association that has already been created in the minds of our consumers? How will brands react to that?

• Will people like to wear ‘Mayur Shewang Suitings’ anymore?
• Will people buy a Skyline Apartment that Dravid says matches his lifestyle? Or believe what Dravid has to say on behalf of the Bank of Baroda?
• Will people still associate Yuvraj as the Hero of all two wheeled Hondas?
• Will kids agree that Boost is the secret of Sachin’s energy?
• Will people now start looking at sports beyond cricket?

Well, let’s hope for the best. Let not another minnow take the pants off our Indian team and send them back in bermudas. If it happens, India for sure will lose its reputation as a cricket crazy nation. And brands will have to re-think about their advertising and celeb endorsement strategies.

Boys in Blue, now bite your own words ‘Ladega to jetega.’ Good luck.