Summer Repeat: Brand Ambassadors - 3 I'd Like To See

So another Olympic year is upon us, and another opportunity for a watch brand to do something bold and dynamic. And maybe I am a hopeless romantic, but I will keep posting about this until some watch brand out there claiming to be "disruptive" or "bold" is ready to put their money where their marketing and advertising mouths are.

So gentle reader, once more, because I can (and will) do this until I don't need to any longer, a summer repeat -

Brand Ambassadors - 3 I'd Like To See

So, it is time once again for the "semi-annual" Tempus Fugit appeal to the PR & Marketing Mavens of Watch Town to take a bold step to recognize 3 athletes who set out to win the Olympic 200 meters in Mexico City, and wound up changing the world. 

So not unlike a pitch meeting, I am going to throw some of Watch Town's favorite bon mots first:

Tag Heuer's
"Don't Crack Under Pressure" 

Tudor's 
"Born To Dare"


And throw this picture -

Not feeling that one?  How about this for the big dogs in Biel/Bienne -

Courtesy of the AOC Media Centre

I am sure that someone on the Omega team could come up with a snappy tagline.  Maybe:
"Recording the moments that changed the world."

Watch Town is, indeed, a curious place.  There is almost a desperate longing to be attached to celebrities, star athletes and history makers.  And don't get me wrong, I like sports, movies and astronauts as much as the next guy or gal.  But after everything is said and done - it's just talk.  
Empty and pointless.

Now I know what you might be thinking - "Don't get political, stick to watches". Curious to relate, human rights are not and should not be viewed as political. And honestly? The three men standing on the Olympic podium in Mexico City back on that October night in 1968 weren't calculating how much money they would be pulling in from shoe sponsorships or becoming watch brand ambassadors, or getting a guest appearance on Hawaii Five-0. They were thinking about something bigger than themselves. They were feeling then, like so many of us are feeling now - that the world needed to change.

Peter Norman is no longer with us, but his nephew the film maker Matt Norman is, as are Mr. Smith and Mr. Carlos, still putting themselves out there, giving talks and educating. And maybe I'm just sentimental, but I think it would be nice to see some real heroes as brand ambassadors.

So Omega, Tudor, Tag-Heuer, Breitling or anyone else out there - here are some brand ambassadors that actually stood for, and continue to stand for something positive. Even more than 50 years later.


Watch Town execs still not feeling it?  Okay, maybe a bit of Henki-lore to help push the idea:

Tommie Smith like John Carlos and Peter Norman was pretty much cast out of the world of track and field. He went on to lecture and teach and along the way wound up in Oberlin, Ohio where he (if memory serves) taught sociology and also coached track. I attended Eastwood Elementary with his son Kevin. Truth be told, at the ripe old age of 6 or 7, I had no idea who Tommie Smith was, and certainly less of a clue about the Mexico City Olympics.  We were in the library, and he said 
"I want to show you a picture of my dad."  And he grabbed the most recent copy of the Guiness Book of World Records and turned to the page where his dad's photo and world record were listed.
"My dad's still the fastest man in the world!" At least, that's what I remember him saying.


If you want to know more about the story behind that seismic event in 1968, and learn more about the "third man" - Australian Peter Norman as well as Tommie Smith and John Carlos, I highly recommend the film Salute -

The Seamaster Planet Ocean “PyeongChang 2018” Limited Edition

from Omega -

Courtesy of Omega

With the next Olympic games now about a year off, Omega has unveiled a limited edition Seamaster to mark the event.

Courtesy of Omega

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -

Crystal

Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides

Case

Steel

Dial

Blue

Water resistance

60 bar (600 metres / 2000 feet)

Size

Case Diameter: 43.5 mm

Movement -

Calibre: Omega 8900

Self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. Movement and watch tested according to Master Chronometer certification process approved by METAS. Resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. Free sprung-balance with silicon balance spring, two barrels mounted in series, automatic winding in both directions. Time zone function. Special luxury finish with rhodium-plated rotor and bridges with Geneva waves in arabesque.

Power reserve: 60 hours
Type: Self winding

Anti-magnetic

Chronometer

Date

Helium escape valve

Limited edition

Liquidmetal®

Screw-in crown

Transparent case back

Transparent case back

A transparent case back - frequently made of sapphire - makes it possible to see the movement inside the watch.

Unidirectional rotating bezel

Doing Good - Omega Viva Rio - Social Action #7

As a former school teacher myself, this one rings true! Well done Omega & Viva Rio! Here's the scoop, straight from the source -

Improving Municipal Schools

Courtesy of Omega

Schooling lays the foundation for brighter futures, which is why this project aims to renovate and equip two Municipal Schools within Rio.

Courtesy of Omega

The public primary education in Brazil is managed by the Municipal Government. In the last few years, Rio has advanced considerably in improving access to basic schooling. However, there are still some challenges to be overcome, such as in the schools’ infrastructure.  Aiming to foster this process, Viva Rio will support the refurbishing of school units in order to address their infrastructural needs. The chosen institutions support a large number of students and are located in vulnerable areas of the city.

How OMEGA will help

Benefitting around 1000 students every year, the aim with this project is to improve study conditions for students in two primary schools within the city of Rio de Janeiro. It will provide them with equipment and furniture that will be useful to both their education and their teachers.

The total renovation includes the painting, refurbishing and equipment for a computer lab and a recreational space. The schools will be provided with computers chairs and playground toys.

Doing Good - Omega Viva Rio - SOCIAL ACTION #6

Support to Young immigrants

This one is near and dear to my heart.  Having lived and worked in Japan, Portugal, Scotland and Finland I can honestly say that it is not easy fitting in and being accepted.  And that is when you come with legal working papers, have a job, apartment and insurance.  Try to imagine what it can be like when you are coming to a country out of necessity to try and have a better life?  

The sixth social action of Viva Rio that Omega is supporting is an effort to support young immigrants.

Courtesy of Omega

Here's the scoop -

Being new to a country is not always easy, which is why this project will support the integration and training center for the youth immigrant community of Rio.

Courtesy of Omega

As a response to the increase in the flow of immigrants in Brazil, Viva Rio develops a number of initiatives for the support of this community. The goal is to provide a welcoming environment for vulnerable immigrants and facilitate their integration, through education, legal assistance and job market placement.

In 2016, Viva Rio is expanding this work. A center for integration and training of young immigrants will open and serve as headquarter of the Black Pearls’ Soccer Academy in Brazil - a project that already benefits 110 boys and girls in vulnerable situation in Haiti, and promotes social inclusion and citizenship through sports. The center will allow these young athletes to showcase their talent and find placement in the best national teams in Brazil.

Courtesy of Omega

“Every person in this city is important. No matter how long you've lived here.„

In order to activate this action, the Black Pearls’ Sub-20 team will participate in the São Paulo Junior Cup, which will take place in January, 2016, in the city of São Paulo. With an average age of 18 years old, the team will be the only foreigner to take part in the competition.

How OMEGA will help

This action will support the purchase of uniforms and sports material for the Black Pearls’ athletes and the new integration and training center, as a way to prepare them for the first challenge in 2016: São Paulo Junior Cup.

Doing Good - #omegavivario Action #4

This is the fourth initiative from Omega as part of their #omegavivario program -

Creating leaders of the future

Courtesy of Omega

By refurbishing and equipping The Young Apprentice Centre, this project will help to improve youth education, giving them the ideal platform to launch their careers 

Courtesy of Omega

The Young Apprentice Program has a very successful history of placing youth within the job market. The action is based on a federal law stating that between 5% and 15% of every big or medium sized company's workforce or staff should be made up of young workers (14 to 24 years old).

Viva Rio is one of the main providers of the program, from registering students, to overseeing their time during professional service. The selected youth go through a qualification course and receive the support of a multidisciplinary team that works together with their families, schools and companies.

To ensure excellence in the provided service, Viva Rio has developed advanced study materials alongside highly qualified teachers who also provide complementary activities.

Courtesy of Omega

How OMEGA will help

To improve youth education within the Young Apprentice Program, this project will purchase new equipment and furniture that will reform the project´s study room.

This includes adapting an education space and installing new computers, tablets, TVs, tables, air-conditioning, chairs, new study desks, and broadband connection.

Doing Good - OMEGA - #omegavivario

This is OMEGA's  #omegavivario:
SOCIAL ACTION #3

Courtesy of Omega

Continuing the development of young children

This project will again support the development of children by providing equipment for recreational activities and learning.

Asking Hublot an Uncomfortable Question About FIFA

Many of you will no doubt be aware of the turmoil that FIFA is experiencing now less than ten days to their biggest event - the World Cup in Brazil.  What many of us are now struggling with is the fact that FIFA has probably brought a lot of this turmoil onto themselves.

The Olympics and the World Cup are HUGE money spinning mechanisms for the IOC and FIFA.  When that much money is involved, and that much power is involved… let's just say we shouldn't be shocked.  The "selection" process is a high stakes beauty pageant with "pageant moms" often resorting to whatever means they think will get their "little girl" the crown of "pageant queen".

Point of full disclosure - YES - I work with brands to help place watches on the wrists of athletes, actors, etc.  So I am fully aware that it is a very, very fine line to walk.  I would also say that just because a brand is involved with a group that is experiencing some controversy doesn't make the brand "BAD".  Having said that, I also think that a brand does have the power to confront and question the behavior of their partners - and if necessary end the relationship.  I also realize that it is easy for me, or others to critique.

To Hublot's credit, when this partnership first started the deal was that instead of HUBLOT, the time indicators displayed an anti-racism message.  These were noble, sincere intentions.  But as we can see with the rampant spread of neo-Nazism throughout European football, with racist groups openly organizing and recruiting IN the stadiums AT the games in SPAIN, ITALY, ENGLAND and elsewhere - this is something that FIFA is paying a lot of lip service to, but not really working to solve.

I applaud OMEGA for their charitable work, and their watches are amazing.  I applaud HUBLOT for their charitable work and their innovative spirit.  But I will say the same thing I said around Sochi - you are not responsible for your partner's actions, but YOU ARE responsible for choosing to continue with them.

In fairness, the IOC and FIFA have long been suspected of less than ethical behavior on a LOT of levels.  This is not "new" news.  But I will ask Hublot the same question that I asked OMEGA -
Are you really sure you want to continue on with this partnership after this World Cup is completed?

You can't change what has happened - but you can make changes for the future.  Now the last time I said something like this, the OMEGA people were courteous enough to hear me out in person, gave me a glass of juice and an espresso, and essentially "excommunicated" me from the "Church of the SWATCH GROUP".  For Hublot I am a tiny fly in the corporate ointment, and I am not exactly on Mr. Biver's Christmas card list, so I suspect that this will not even raise a whisper at Hublot HQ ; )

Let's hope for a beautiful World Cup, an elimination of racist groups at football stadia, an end to the allegations of bribery and corruption in the IOC and FIFA, and a speedy return of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny ; )

Enjoy your watches!

Telling the Truth is a Dangerous Business - Part Deux

Okay, the Olympics are important.  Agreed.  But feeding people is important too.  I do not mean any disrespect, but I do mean to engage in honest conversation.  My fellow watch bloggers have labeled me as "troublesome" and some other names that perhaps aren't fit for family viewing.  I can live with that.  I do not live in expectation of the "champagne room" at the next SWATCH or Richemont event.  If I am a pariah, then I made the choice to be a pariah.

But what of the people without food, shelter, medicine?  What of the people mercilessly stalked and beaten senseless in the street - video recorded for the world to see.  Can they live with it?  Sounds like the happy, joyous days of Germany circa 1930's?  Yeah, what a great reference to base your national policies on!

BaselWorld is like some goofy "pimp life" for me - free drinks, free meals, comped entertainment, the ridiculous events put on by watch companies with more dollars than sense.  I'm not going to lie to you, I look forward to it.  But I also hope that I don't check my sense of right at the coat check room.

OMEGA - I never thought I would write the following words - I have more respect for Budweiser right now than I do for you.  People living 10 miles from the Olympics don't have enough to eat?  People persecuted and victimized?  Beaten with the full approval of the government?  Do you NOT see the parallels to Hitler and the Berlin Olympics?  I'm not judging anyone covering the event -my admittedly messed up views of the world are my own.  I write this from the "exile" of Santa Barbara - It is easy for me to have an opinion.  And as my teaching colleagues from St. Andrews would often remind me - opinions are like backsides ; )  But with sponsorship comes certain responsibilities.

In all honesty, despite my love for OMEGA, I can't get behind Sochi in any way, shape or form.  Several companies have made the commercially unpopular decision to withdraw their sponsorship.  Watches shouldn't be political - and in fairness the Olympics shouldn't be political.  But in fairness, they have been political since "Hitlers' Games" in Berlin.  And yes, that charming Austrian lad made the Olympics political way back when.

Let me say this now, clearly and without any possibility of misunderstanding -
I love my OMEGA watches.  I deeply respect OMEGA.  But I cannot support OMEGA's involvement in the Sochi games.

Admittedly, I am a romantic.  I expect more from OMEGA and I am disappointed by their blind devotion to commercialism and Olympic tie-ins in the face of a totalitarian regime.  And as a self-admitted romantic, I expect that the majority of folks out there will not agree with me.

What's my beef?  Why is this such an issue?  In the interest of full disclosure,  I went to school with the son of another "pariah" - Tommie Smith.  Remember the black glove at Mexico City?  Yes, that was Tommie Smith.  I am PROUD to say that I was a classmate (however briefly) of his son Kevin back at the Eastwood School in Oberlin, OH.  I will also tell you - Kevin didn't comment on that (the protest).  He just said:   "Let me show you something about my dad"… and he opened the Guinness Book of World Records, and there he was - Tommy Smith!  It was 1974 or 1975, the picture was from Mexico City.  We were kids.  And that Olympics happened right about the time we were both born.  We didn't even think about stuff like this.  He was black, I was white.  We were friends.  So OMEGA, I guess it's safe to say that I take things like this a little personally.  OMEGA - all about timing - that would be a partnership for you - the man who was the fastest man in the world at the time, and was willing to let it go in the pursuit of what he felt was right.  That I can get behind.  That is a watch I would buy!

And if it's time to "pay the piper" for my less than mainstream views, and this means my BaselWorld appointment is canceled, I understand and respect it, but it is time to be counted.  And OMEGA - I expect you to count me.  I love your company, I love your watches, but I cannot be silent.  I expect more from you - the world expects more from you.  You are now bigger than ROLEX.  You are now the leader - it is time to act like it.

So you want to really honor two people who truly idealize the Olympic ideal?

Tommie Smith and John Carlos.  These men embody what are supposed to be  the Olympic ideals.  So instead of serving up prawn cocktails washed down with champagne at Olympic pavilions for the rich, famous (and white) celebrity guests, maybe take a few minutes - and a few watches - and recognize some men and women who really embody the Olympic ideal.  

Raketa, What Did You Think Would Happen?

So…

This morning I awoke with this in my inbox:

"RAKETA" BEYOND THE LAW

Got your attention?  Good!  Here's the short form -

1.  As you know unless you have been living under a rock, in a cave, on one of the outlying planets of the solar system...OMEGA is a primary sponsor of the Sochi Winter Olympics.  As I am also sure you can imagine, sponsorship like that is not exactly inexpensive.

2.  Enter Raketa on the scene presenting the “Raketa for Sochi”. And I must say I loved the moxie! Essentially taking a watch, adorning the dial with the various events of the winter Olympics that are sponsored by, SOMEBODY ELSE! And then, and this was the masterstroke of marketing genius - or the very poorly thought out decision making process of too much liquor during a planning meeting -

you decide to do something that could get you litigated back into the Soviet era. You decide to promote this watch as an "homage" to the city of Sochi? With such "subtle" promotional photographs as this -

Courtesy of Raketa

3. The Olympic Committee moved to essentially "remind" Raketa that, in fact, they were in violation -

Courtesy of Raketa (I guess as they are the ones who sent it to me)

But as if this was not enough fun to start your day off with a laugh, then allow me to share the "shocked indignation" that Raketa expressed -

After a legal claim of the Olympic Committee, the “Raketa” Watch Factory is forced to stop sales of “Raketa for Sochi” series until December 22. Despite the fact that there was no offence against the competition law (Part 1, section 4, Article 14 of the Federal Law № 135-FZ  “On the Protection of Competition”,  July 26, 2006), the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia declared  watches illegal and asked to recall the collection from all the shops.

The Committee declares the ground for suit is “the production and sales of the limited collection “Sochi” that brings the false idea about the producer to be connected with the Olympic games”. It’s good to know that “Raketa” was the official timekeeper of 1980 Summer Olympics, so the connection is historical.

Considering the name of the collection “Raketa for Sochi” it is shoking how the use of the city name can break the law. According to this statement all producers of souvenirs, performers with their concerts and posters, tour agencies with their brochures are in danger of being involved in the lawsuit. Doubting the legalty of using the city name “Sochi” without linking to the Olympic Committee is equivalent to doubt the right to use “London” city name, which was the host city of the 2012 Summer Olympics. In that case all the souvenirs with “London” name on it should have been forbidden, then what would we bring from the capital of Great Britain as a memory gift?

The confirmation of legalty was required also to the use of symboliс images of winter sports. In this case the object of claim is not clear. From the beginnig of history cavemen had been schematically drawing the scenes of living and hunting. Nowadays icons are everywhere. Designers use them creating signs, billboards and magazines. A lot of sport clubs that have nothing in common with the Olympics place symbolic images of people doing different sports at their ads. At last, if anyone managed to doubt the legalty of using WC icons our society would have plunge into chaos!

Nevertheless, due to lack of law and administrative resourses to build up full protection the Watch Factory agreed to withdraw “Raketa for Sochi” series from the market until December 22. Thus, special limited collection “Raketa for Sochi” can only be found in the hands of lucky first buyers.

So I say this with all due respect, but honestly Raketa, what the F*&% did you think was going to happen? Maybe the Hayeks would invite you to their courtesy tent to watch the luge over vodka and caviar?!?

Unless…

you knew that this was exactly what would happen. In other words, you set out to attract the attention of the folks who enforce Olympic sponsorship agreements, did just enough to get a gentle spank…

(and this is the really "brilliant part") you fire off a press release chock-full of typos that manages to sound both paranoid and delusional at the same time! Well done!

I apologize, but as someone who lived through the cold war and actually remembers that there was once another place called the Soviet Union, this is a refreshing blast from the past! The puffed-up bravado, the willful suspension of common sense - spaceba Raketa! It's good to know that cold war style paranoia is alive and well ; )

Well, not to worry those of you in the west - we have our own puffed-up propaganda machine with the wonderfully misguided folks at Shinola - proudly making "REAL WATCHES" in Detroit - which apparently will soon be the new name for Geneva ; )

OMEGA Signs PGA Champion Rory McIlroy

This just in from OMEGA -

Coourtesy of OMEGA

OMEGA is thrilled to announce its newest ambassador, golf superstar, Rory McIlroy, one of golf’s most talented and accomplished players. 

We are pleased to share with you the latest  from Swiss watchmaker, OMEGA. This week, OMEGA took its association with the game to an even greater level with the signing of Rory McIlroy.    

The popular golfer and two-time major champion from Northern Ireland has entered into an agreement with OMEGA that will make him part of a roster of ambassadors featuring many current golf stars including Greg Norman and Stacy Lewis as well as leading figures from the world of entertainment such as Nicole Kidman, George Clooney and Daniel Craig. 

OMEGA President, Stephen Urquhart is thrilled with the signing, saying “Rory is one of those golfers who lights up every course he plays on. In recent years, he has been golf’s most exciting player and he has already attracted legions of new fans. He’s the sort of golfer who is good for the sport and for its image and we are all looking forward to seeing how far his extraordinary talent will take him. We are delighted that he is now part of the OMEGA family.”

Rory McIlroy is looking forward to the partnership as well stating, “OMEGA has a rich history in sport, both with the Olympics and in golf, and I have always had great experiences playing in its events. I have been a fan of the brand for a long time so to now be an OMEGA ambassador is special for me. I am truly excited about this new partnership and look forward to many great years together.”

In 2012, Rory played a prominent role in the Ryder Cup in Medinah, where OMEGA served as Official Timekeeper. Securing his place in golf history, McIlroy has won numerous championships including the 2011 U.S Open where the young athlete set a record score of 16 under par on his way to an eight stroke victory. The following year McIlroy went on to win the PGA Championship in 2012. 

Since its inception in 2011, OMEGA’s multi-year partnership with The PGA of America has made a clear statement on the importance of the sport in the brand’s global marketing strategy. OMEGA will serve as the official timekeeper of the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016, when golf will make its return to The Games. 

www.omegawatches.com

Eberhard & Co. Partner with Reigning FEI World Cup Champion Rich Fellers

Eberhard & Co. announces their newest ambassador - 

Reigning FEI World Cup Champion Rich Fellers 

Here's the news - straight from Eberhard:

Celebrating this year its 125^th anniversary,

Eberhard & Co., is proud to announce its partnership with horseman Rich Fellers the reigning FEI World Cup Champion, and a member of the US Equestrian team during the Summer games in London.

At the London Olympic Games, Rich represented the

US in Show Jumping with the horse Flexible.

By the end of an intense competition lasting 4 days, Rich and Flexible found themselves taking part in the Final round, finishing 8^th among the 20 best Show Jumpers of these summer games.

Such an outstanding result makes all of us at Eberhard & Co. honored to be associated with a horsemen of Rich’s calibre.  The Swiss Maison has always believed in the pursuit of pure quality and found in Rich Fellers a true partner in this quest.

Both Rich and Flexible embody a never say die attitude, the same commitment to excellence that has guided Eberhard & Co. for 125 years.

This marks beginning of a new partnership that will see Eberhard & Co., Rich and Flexible ready for new challenges and international competitions to come. 

Be sure to follow Rich’s exploits on the Eberhard & Co.

Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eberhard-Co-Watches-Official/132646413473588