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Event sponsorship and ambush marketing: Lessons from the Beijing Olympics

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  • Pitt, Leyland
  • Parent, Michael
  • Berthon, Pierre
  • Steyn, Peter G.

Abstract

Sponsorship of large sporting and cultural events has become a major marketing communication tool, particularly when firms obtain exclusive rights and garner the hype associated with this honor. Concomitantly, ambush marketing--defined as attempts by competitors to exploit the event--has also increased in prominence. This article outlines what is known as the Li Ning affair, whereby major Olympic sponsor Adidas was ambushed by lesser-known Chinese sportswear company Li Ning, whose namesake founder was the most decorated Chinese Olympian and who lit the Olympic flame at the 2008 Beijing Olympiad. Data collected immediately following the closing of the Beijing Games isolates what we call the Li Ning effect--or, being incorrectly identified as an official sponsor--and the positive effects this has on measures of brand attitude and recommendation likelihood. As presented herein, seven lessons about ambush marketing can be derived from the Li Ning affair, which sponsors and those considering sponsorship opportunity might wish to learn.

Suggested Citation

  • Pitt, Leyland & Parent, Michael & Berthon, Pierre & Steyn, Peter G., 2010. "Event sponsorship and ambush marketing: Lessons from the Beijing Olympics," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 281-290, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:53:y:2010:i:3:p:281-290
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Farrelly, Francis & Quester, Pascale & Greyser, Stephen A., 2005. "Defending the Co-Branding Benefits of Sponsorship B2B Partnerships: The Case of Ambush Marketing," Journal of Advertising Research, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(3), pages 339-348, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. T. Bettina Cornwell & Youngbum Kwon, 2020. "Sponsorship-linked marketing: research surpluses and shortages," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(4), pages 607-629, July.
    2. Jensen, Jonathan A. & Cobbs, Joe B. & Turner, Brian A., 2016. "Evaluating sponsorship through the lens of the resource-based view: The potential for sustained competitive advantage," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 59(2), pages 163-173.
    3. Lin, Hsin-Chen & Bruning, Patrick F., 2024. "Guidelines for sponsorship signaling within socially complex markets," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 67(1), pages 19-30.

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