Glasgow 2014 – marvellous exuberance


If only all the world's large sporting events were as exuberent
In a week or two that has had such terrible world news, how marvellous to see the easy-going, it seems, opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow along with the continuing spectacular Tour de France.
Glasgow's opening was broadcast to about 1 billion people and was dubbed Glasgow’s “biggest ever party”.

There had been some precursor ideas for the Glasgow ceremony. Would they really blow up some local buildings as part of the crescendo? That idea hit the dust.  The event included a variety of Scottish clichés as well as imagery ranging from the Loch Ness monster to hagis. The photo above shows singers Karen Dunbar and Scottish-American John Barrowman who luciously kissed a male dancer.  Rod Stewart did what he does, well.

The Games have boldly taken on a scotch whiskey sponsor, The Famous Grouse, amidst a stack of others – as with these international events, almost anything that moves and wears pants attracts a category sponsor. Ford has a creative theme of “keeping the games moving” with a specific “Play Your Part” challenge. Energy company SSE has set up its “#GoGlasgow” campaign, with major focus on social media.
You'll love this Irn-Bru soft drink advert, themed Born to Support - click here. The company has a BRU-Store, a pop-up shop housed in containers in the city centre.

ScotRail has cleverly changed the names of a number of local rail stations, with names such as ‘Cambuslangjump’, ‘Polevault’ and ‘Sprintburn’. That together with the whiskey could keep the trains full for days! Virgin Media has created several legacy ventures aimed at narrowing Glasgow’s digital divide since it is the UK city with the highest number of people who are not yet online.

 The decidedly poor experience of the previous games at Delhi may have caused some potential sponsors to sit tight. The Glasgow games look to be in sharp contrast and for some companies, they may now rue not becoming involved. Perhaps that's all to the good for the next crew, Gold Coast 2018. Nothing like some eager customers.

Good luck to all the Aussies soaking up the fun. And do watch out for the handover ceremony component during the closing ceremony, the handover to Gold Coast 2018, being designed and produced by David Atkins Enterprises.

And our congratulations to the Glasgow 2014 organisers and to all the smart Australians who are engaged in producing and delivering the games. A special note for Jackie Brock-Doyle who has stepped in at Glasgow to manage communications and public relations after the appointed Gordon Arthur had to withdraw for personal reasons. Jackie superbly directed in the same portfolio at London 2012 and has been named PR Week's Professional of the Year for 2012 for her work the Olympics and Paralympics. It was marvellous to have Jackie here in Sydney at our London Games event, some time ago now.


Faces of Glasgow 2014

           

D'ye like the Jimmy Hats!?

 

Glasgow enjoys the fun

      


Eric Winton

Director, New Millennium Business

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