37 
The IOC and LOCOG have been trying their best to block any and all other products from getting on TV, or being associated with the Olympics to protect the official sponsors. That didn’t stop Beats though; it sneakily gifted Team GB and others with headphones, which they promptly wore on TV (as you may well have notiched!), showing that ambush-marketing is alive and well, and that they have no fear about beating the Olympics brand police.
Tom Daley was pictured wearing the fancy union jack-pimped Beats, while footballers, tennis players and other Team GB members have tweeted about Beats, which were promptly removed once word got out of Beats’ clever tactics, of course.
I have a feeling the GB Team might catch some flak for this, but it’s a bloody good stunt by Beats to get around the totally ridiculous official sponsor-only crackdown by the Olympics brand police. [Channel 4]
Dr. Dre’s Beats Go Wireless (But Where’s the @*##ing AirPlay?) (Ears On)
Disney Channel Bouncing onto Sky Go Tonight
You Taste With Your... Ears?
Did anyone notice Phelps leave a foot (with footwear) on the podium for about 5 minutes while the Bronze and Silver medals were handed out for the 4x200m freestyle relay last night? Another shining example but a bit more blatant.
So who are the official ‘Head phone’ providers for the Olympics?
I have seen a few of the cyclists and hockey players in Team GB with some Adidas cans which they ‘make’ in partnership with Sennheiser, so perhaps Adidas have that one covered too..?
took a look at the official partners. Panasonic is the official electronics partner.. Bet they won’t be liking this move by Dre.
Props to Beats for getting around the silly ban, however I can’t stand their headphones. Sure they’re a great deal if you get given them for free. But for their RRP they’re a rip off. Every time I see them I just think “there’s another person who prefers paying for brand over any sense of value for money.
I’ve had mine for 2 years, well before they became the iconic brand they are today, well before every Tom, Dick and Harry bought a pair of those dreadful ‘Solos’ and they started making their lines technicolour. I’m very happy with the sound quality. It doesn’t matter what your perception of “value for money” is when you’re not the one using the product. So don’t be so judgemental.
Every company is based on imagine, and Beats, like Apple – just happens to have a very good one.
Image**
It makes me sad when I see yet more people wearing beats, especially people who think they’re audiophiles, image over substance.
Speedo aren’t a sponsor… still see swimmers wearing speedos. What’s the big deal?
Phelps came out wearing Sol Republic Tracks HD, not the first time he’s worn them either. I bet the folks over at Beats tried their best to get Phelps to switch. Either way, I rolled my eyes at all the athletes wearing the same thing but was intrigued enough to look into Phelps’ cans.
Doesn’t anybody else think it’s completely disrespectful to the spectators when athletes leave their headphones on before an event, rather than acknowledging the crowd’s welcome?
No.
I think that whatever gives them a better chance of winning is a positive thing. And if listening to music helps them focus, then fine.
They can acknowledge the crowd by giving a wave as they walk out and also celebrating their performance and the crowds support afterwards. The minutes before an event are crucial, they’re not there to entertain the crowds.
yeah i spotted a few and thought it was a bit rude, i understand their wanting to focus but surely a stadium full of people spurring you on is a better motivator than any music track
Some people thrive on that. Some people want to block it out. Depends on the Athlete..
yeah i guess, at the end of the day its more important to them than it is to the spectators, they’re there to win a medal so whatever works for them.
See, the headline says Beats shoehorned their ‘phones “onto athletes’ ears”, which is plainly incorrect, because I’ve never seen anyone wearing Beats on their ears.
Draped around the neck is obviously how they’re meant to be worn.
Hah, this is very true.