Just say no to the “O” movement taking place across a humorous group of street artists and designers to the hardcore rule the IOC always invokes against using the word “Olympic” during the Games or any usage of the rings logo “to protect the brand” has spawned a backlash that’s downright funny.
Of course, if you’re trying to actually promote say, your café called “Olympic” or a designer hoping to promote their “Olympic-related” work, or a fashion brand hoping to share patriotic spirit of sports through logos on apparel and accessories, it’s not so fun.
The most stupendous Olympic brand police moves in London, as reported by Treehugger were things like a little corner café having to change their name from “Olympic” to “Lympic” and the kebab shop that had to change its sign because it had 5 rings that resemble the Olympic version up in front.
What’s backlashed for the Olympics in today’s digital age is that apparent non-usage is actually worse when it comes to promoting goodwill and team spirit for the sagging entity of the Olympics in general. In addition, it perpetuates street artists like Banksy, which unfortunately some of his work has already been buffed, The Toasters, and others to roast the Olympics even more in a variety of ways.
So how can you legitimately utilize the word Olympics and the logo during the Games? You have to be sanctioned as an official sponsor. This basically means only a handful of brands. It’s almost as dated and embarrassing as NBC’s attempts at coverage.
Peter Murray and Angela Brady from the firm BD in London actually took matters one step further and created T-shirts and a blog listing every name of every architect and designer that helped build the Olympic park venue in London.
Interestingly, some Olympic swimmers were wearing Dre’s Beats headphones, who is not a sponsor, but Beats sent branded British union flag colors for some from the Britain team, which didn’t get stopped by the Olympic brand police. Yet.
According to PSFK, designer Leonardo Dentico transformed the iconic Olympic logo virtually into different arenas including a swimming pool, running track, soccer pitch and tennis court.
The image, which we’re not sure if it’s for sale or how it’s being used, interprets the precious rings in almost a steampunk fashion as floating platforms over the city for different sports.
From what we’ve heard so far, this has not been banned.
Meanwhile, especially down on the East-end of London, things continue to pop-up daily (and nightly) with street artists taking time to tag their own interpretation of the Olympic rings, despite the brand police on the watch.
