Ambush Marketing - Sochi Olympics 2014

Ambush marketing, the act of a product or service trying to attach itself to a big event without being an official sponsor of the event, is alive and well surrounding the Sochi Olympic Games.

Here's a round-up of news stories worth a read:

American Apparel Strikes Marketing Gold - The company released a line of "Principle 6" clothing which includes a variation of language from the Olympic Charter.

Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.

The Canadian Olympic Committee thinks a LaBatt beer commercial featuring a large Budweiser blimp designed to look like a hockey goal light, along with scenes of fans in Moscow, is a little too close.  While Budweiser has an affiliation with the US Olympic Committee, LaBatt Brewing Company is not a sponsor for the Canadian Olympic Team.

And, more from the Canadians, they Canadian Olympic Committee sued outerwear/cold weather brand NORTH FACE for launching a line of clothing in Red/White featuring the maple leaf and referring to the clothing line as the "international collection" ready for "village wear."

Samsung, an official sponsor of the Sochi Games, gave the athletes a Galaxy Note 3. But, there was another "note" included in the gift bag saying cover up logos on any other phone you might be using.  Samsung, like the other 10 official sponsors of the Winter Games, does not want their competitors' trademarks on display.