Speedo wins a gold medal in PR

Gary Hall Jr. struck gold at the Olympics in the 50 meter swimming sprint event. A few days later he was fined $5,000 by the swimming federation. Why? Blame it on branding –the wrong branding. Hall wore a robe made with an American flag to the starting blocks of his event. And who’s complaining?

“The real issue is Speedo pays millions and millions and millions of dollars for the U.S. Swim Team to wear Speedo out at the starting blocks,” said Hall. “If they don’t get that exposure, they’re going to raise a stink about it.”

I can understand the paranoia about ambush marketing –the ‘cloak’ was made by boxing sponsor Everlast, Hall's sponsorand a one-time swimwear manufacturer (really!)—but do you really want the guy wearing your brand to be punished? Can someone please give Speedo a gold medal for stunning PR?

Want to see how Everlast is taunting Speedo? Check out this image of Gary Hall, poolside, wearing Everlast!