I believe in what you are doing, but I know, based on the hardship already faced by me and my organization, it will be a hard fought battle, and I personally would like to take part in this, If I can. Just let me know when and where, and I will be there.

It sounds like (and I would expect) VANOC and probably even the IOC want to create a construct of the True Story of the Olympics, and they have a vested interest in doing so (ie. it has to be compelling = get the crowds/viewers = get the sponsorships). They then need to screen and “accredit” only the people they trust to tell The Story, and keep out any renegades who may tell small-truth stories which may result in deconstructing their Olympic Story.

-oops – just read @Maurice’s comment above – he said what I’m trying to say! —

What does this mean for this initiative? I think it may be barking up the wrong tree. Trying to play from the “inside” will likely at best result in adding detail to the True Olympic Story. What wants that? The glory and revolution of social media is that we blow any kind of artifical Big-T Truth into pieces in favour of small-t olympic stories. Those are the stories of meaning and interest.

i want to address whoever’s question this was: ‘Q.- Hard to monitor whether people are saying things that are bad (or not through the guidelines) on Twitter, blogs, etc. How to deal with it?’ …and add that i think this is an important issue to figure out sooner than later, perhaps as establishing the following as basic terms as soon as possible, and to be developed:

a) especially because the physical IMC does not yet exist, a centralization (mechanism at the very least) for our shared process, and for monitoring community information (aside from people posting info on their own sites)…the freshest personal example that comes to my mind is not knowing about this meeting well enough in advance to be able to physically be there. the need for participation (if not commitment) is imminent, and for reasons that are quite unique to this movement in terms of gaining traction on the playing field with other media operatives.

b) i think there is something to be demonstrated on the level of how well organized we can be in establishing the breadth of this movement, by spending some time scoping out how large this movement (need) really is. consideration for other communities in vancouver (canada and globally) we can connect this movement to (e.g. schools, etc); because this is a movement as much as it is journalism, because it is a call to action as much as it is a call to reflection, how can we share/tag the various levels of immediacy with the information that needs to be acted upon?

that’s my two cents for now…hope to share more in person soon.

as

Great job! You’re liveblog is well done.

I put forth the consideration last night at the meeting of raising operating funds through companies like Pepsi, or Jones Soda. I threw these two companies on the table off the top of my head though, because there are many others waiting in the wings to fund such a progressive idea like an independent media center.

I’ve had an Olympics related news blog online since 2004, and even though my audience is small by global social media standards, a company that is a major competitor to a TOPS sponsor has already approached me to use their brand on my websites.

I have never sold any type of advertising on my sites, but will consider it because the offer is substantial.

Many reputable and well known companies, especially large companies like Pepsi, Ford, Nike, etc., are constantly on the prowl for alternative space beyond traditional areas like Olympic region billboards, busses, and a very long list of other mediums already monopolized and controlled by VANOC in a blanket fashion.

Olympic organizations purchase every speck of advertising space in an Olympic region in an effort to prevent ambush marketing. Pepsi however are innovative and executed a very successful campaign in Beijing. Nike has also done it for years, plus there is a very long list of other companies you know well. They all carefully tread just one step inside legal parameters. Their strategies are legal and ethical.

One area no one can control however is the internet – not even China

Everyone tries, but as we all witnessed over the last ten years regarding the music industry, it is futile.

For the last 5 years I’ve invested heavily in extensive research and written in depth in my blog about the impact the internet will, and is having on the traditional IOC business model. I also wrote a book that addresses case studies. Plus, I am hired by companies as an online marketing and promotions analyst to help them develop branding strategies in our 2010 Olympics region. It is the reason I do not have to sell advertising on my web properties. My social media strategies are relatively simple, but they generate considerable revenue through tertiary means.

Some of my clients have multi million dollar Olympic contracts, and some have nothing at all to offer directly to VANOC. The common denominator is they all want to leverage Olympic momentum – and not break the law. They are all reputable companies, and not one of my clients has ever been sued for overstepping IOC bounds.

I also donate my time to companies who have been unfairly impacted by zealous IOC intimidation. For example, I’ve been intimately involved from day one in the http://www.998Denman struggle, arguably one of most widely followed IOC VS Small Biz controversies in Canadian history – and maybe even the world unless VANOC manages this issue in a more sensitive manner. We have the best legal minds in the world behind us patiently waiting for the IOC to make their next move. Thousands of people all over the world have signed a petition supporting the small restaurant on Denman, and it has all been done without Twitter – just image what will happen when we turn this tap on.

I’m not a lawyer, but here’s a bit of advice I can offer to everyone who attended the meeting last night:

An organization like VANOC has the power to claim damages from EVERYONE connected to an infraction, which means if their copyright / trademark /official mark police can prove you played a role, even in the slightest way, you can be attached to the recovery order. I would suggest everyone tread carefully until you know the rules.

Yes Raul, this applies to you and your live blog.

VANOC also claims protection under Official mark status described in section 9 of Canadian statutes, which gives it onerous power regarding protection of their brand similar in scope to the Canadian flag or official crests. Until you know exactly what this means, again, I suggest you tread very carefully.

Most people don’t realize until it is too late that special federal considerations were awarded to VANOC and the COC, which means regular rules do not apply. VANOC is very powerful, and has their partners, the municipal, provincial, and federal governments for support. When VANOC needs a law changed it can happen very quickly, and it does.

They will not take kindly to an independent Olympic media center growing in their midst, but hopefully this time around they will be smart enough to realize it is a fight they cannot win through intimidation.

They might win the battle, but they will not win the war when you consider REPUTATION is the IOC ‘s trump card. When they lose the battle in the court of public opinion sponsors will abandon them in droves, and the value of a gold medal will be severely impacted.

I do not want to see this happen, but unfortunately it will.

For the record, I am Pro-Olympics – with a twist, which means I love the sport, but hate the politics.

Already this year four TOPS sponsors have abandoned ship – Johnson & Johnson just recently, and earlier KODAK, Lenovo, and one of the longest sponsor relationships the IOC has had, Manulife Financial, threw in the towel and will no longer support the Olympics. Business week recently asked KODAK the ringing question. “Are Olympic Sponsorships Worth it?” The answer wasn’t encouraging, and you can find a link to it on my blog.