Josh Walker’s Post

As I look back on the unforgettable moments of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, one thing is crystal clear: the relationship between television and fan engagement has never been more important in shaping the future of live sports. What made these games truly special for me was the way fans around the world were able to connect with the action—whether in the stands or from the comfort of their homes. From the plethora of standout performances to the heartwarming stories of perseverance, Paris 2024 was a celebration of human spirit and achievement. Emotive human stories of triumph in real time that audiences want to get closer to. Television played a pivotal role, bringing every second to millions of viewers globally. Yet, it certainly was the synergy between traditional broadcasting and digital platforms that elevated the experience........Not one, or the other. A key headline stat from the attached article regarding broadcast consumption of the games: "Over half of the world’s population is expected to have engaged via broadcast or digital channels with the Olympic Games Paris 2024" (that's nearly 4BN!) (I personally think we can still do better than that going forward but certainly do not want to detract from the success of this today!) Fans weren't just watching; they were interacting, sharing, and contributing to the narrative in real time creating a vibrant, global community that celebrated every victory and consoled every defeat. As we move forward from this incredible televisual event, the lessons from Paris 2024 are that fans are global. Fans are not just the ones that buy tickets in the stadium, they are also the ones at home on their couch or streaming on their phone. Immersive fan engagement strategies should be aligned for ALL of those fans because of this reason. By continuing to innovate in how we connect with audiences (of all demographics), we can ensure that the magic of live sports reaches new heights, creating unforgettable experiences for global fans and setting the stage for the future of sports entertainment. It's heartwarming for me, for someone that started my career in live television, that TV still plays a huge role in live tentpole sports events and connecting global audiences. (Well done also to all the team at Warner Bros. Discovery. The Discovery+ live experience for the games was sublime - The accessible replays for some key races and moments were fantastic!) Bring on the Paralympics in a few weeks - Channel 4, you've got this :-) Here's to the power of connection and the next chapter in sports and live event TV! #Paris2024 #Olympics #FanEngagement #LiveTV Hypothesis Media

🤝 Olympic Friendship and Inclusivity: Uniting Brands and Audiences Globally 🌍 As the Paris 2024 Olympics starts in less than a month, we’re reminded that the Games are more than just a competition, it’s a celebration of world unity. The Olympic values of Friendship and Inclusivity stand out, on the Luscid Index, scoring: 🏆 2.6x Stronger: Friendship 🏆 4.8x Stronger: Inclusivity* *Stronger than the average sporting property: (Source Luscid Index). These values offer brands a unique opportunity to develop meaningful connections, by: 🔎 Creating campaigns that highlight cross-cultural connections  💡 Showcasing how your brand brings people together ✒️ Developing content that resonates with a diverse, worldwide audience Olympic sponsorships let brands connect with a global audience through shared values and excitement extending beyond the Games. Discover how your brand can harness the unifying power of Olympic Friendship and Inclusivity in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eyK5jgyH #Paris2024 #InclusiveBranding #OlympicSpirit

In addition to being the favourites to top the medal table at Paris 2024, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (Team USA) arrives in France as the nation with the most followers across the main social networks. The Brazilians also stand out. In fact, according to GWI, 78% of Brazilians say they use social media as a second screen when watching TV. The leading European nation, and in third place overall, is Team GB (nice work James Yellen - and go Team GB!!) Over the next few weeks, our insights team will be monitoring the channels to track how the events and athletes will affects these standings. Will the new new Team USA Creators initiative ensure they stay way out in front? (https://lnkd.in/dzr-xGFy) #Paris2024 #TeamUSA #TeamGB #Olympics #SocialMedia #SecondScreen #SportsMarketing #DataAnalytics #GlobalSports #SocialMediaStrategy #DigitalEngagement #FanEngagement #AudienceInsights

Hi network! As part of my graduation year I have had the pleasure of writing an article on a topic which I personally care a lot about: inclusivity. Specifically, the inclusivity of Paralympic athletes and sports in Dutch media. In an age where inclusivity and diversity have become such powerful values in society, there is still inadequate media coverage for athletes with a disability. What drives media outlets to not cover more Paralympic stories? If you are wondering the same thing, please feel free to take a look at my article: “The Vicious Circle of Paralympic (In)visibility: Paralympic Inclusivity in Dutch Media”. I hope to hear your insights and ideas in the comments!

Who's watching the 2024 Paris Olympics?! 👀 🏅 This year, the Olympics are more interactive and engaging than ever, thanks to social media... Athletes are now at the forefront of this social media wave. Unlike previous years, they have more freedom to share their journeys on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. From training sessions to daily life in the Olympic Village, fans are getting an inside look at the personal side of their favourite athletes. This change is allowing athletes to build and showcase their personal brands in a more authentic way. Broadcasters are also delivering extensive Olympic coverage not just on TV, but across digital platforms and social media. BBC Sport especially are ensuring you never miss a moment with live streaming, real-time updates, highlights and interviews. 🌐 www.prbywhitney.co.uk 📨 hello@prbywhitney.co.uk ☎️ 0161 457 0601 #Paris2024 #olympics #socialmedia #BBC #eurosport #athletestories #digitalengagement #marketing #olympicsparis #paris #socialmedia #digitalpr #digital

🏅 The Olympics: A Disappointing Reality Check As a child, I used to eagerly look forward to the Olympics—a global celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and the incredible feats of athletes from all corners of the world. But as I’ve grown older, my excitement has been overshadowed by disappointment. The recent decisions and actions surrounding the Olympics have been deeply troubling. Banning Russian and Belorussian athletes, while turning a blind eye to others from countries with equally concerning issues, raises questions about consistency and fairness. Allowing a man from the Netherlands who has been convicted for🍇 to compete is completely disrespectful for survivors everywhere around the world. And then there’s talk of upholding women’s rights, but it's all hypocritical. The decision to bar hijabi 🧕 athletes from competing feels like a step backward, not forward. Women should be free to wear whatever they want, period. The Olympics were meant to be a symbol of global unity, showcasing talented individuals and allowing us to become ONE, even if only for a few weeks, the way sports do. But now, they seem more politically fueled than ever. The only bright spot for me is seeing athletes from countries we rarely hear about take the stage, reminding us of the true spirit of the games. What do you think? Was I just naive? It’s time to rethink what the Olympics should stand for and how we can bring back the values that made them special in the first place. 🌍🏅 #Olympics #InclusionInSports #SportsForAll

Ahead of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris, how are people across the world planning to engage? 🏅 In YouGov’s latest report, we explore audience interest in the Games for 11 key international markets, demographic engagement trends, viewing behaviors and motivations for watching, as well as revealing the most anticipated sports across the event. 🌎 Plus, discover the top 10 most recognized Summer Olympics sponsors, and how the Games really impact brand value. 🏆   𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹: Report insights reveal: 👩🏼🤝🧑🏻 The Olympics has widespread appeal, with relatively consistent interest levels across all age groups – particularly in the UK and US 🤩 18–24-year-olds are more influenced by their family/friends to watch the Summer Olympics, whereas older fans feel a stronger sense of national pride and desire to witness athletic feats 📺 Live TV viewing and shorter form recap content will be the most popular ways to engage with the Games (Please note Olympic trademarks and/or copyrighted material used in this report are owned by the IOC. YouGov does not claim any commercial association with the IOC or the Olympic Games) Download the full report here: https://okt.to/N7UZru #olympics #consumerinsights

Para-sports are on the verge of a breakthrough, following the remarkable rise of women’s sports 🏆 In the past 5 years, women’s sports have surged with growing viewership, major sponsorship deals, grassroots participation, and increased broadcast coverage. These same factors could be the key to unlocking the next level for para-sports. 2024 Paris Paralympians made their message clear ▸ They are not just participants in a movement of inclusion. They're elite competitors capable of drawing high viewership, investment, and capturing global attention. But for para-sports to truly soar, it will take audiences and investment to drive visibility and long-term success 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g-5SpW6e What do you think it will take to get para-sports to the next level, and how can people get involved? Paralympics Australia Australian Sports Commission #paris2024 #paralympics #sportsbusiness #womeninsport

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝘄? 🏅 Taking place from September 23-30, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 was an opportunity to 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗺 of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which emphasized not just competition but the power of sport to foster 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. This year’s theme highlighted how sport can address real-world challenges: from promoting physical activity to enhancing community bonds. While Paris 2024 has shown how mega-events can leave a legacy, there’s still much work to be done. The 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 is therefore an opportunity to extend that impact by ensuring more people across Europe get involved in sport—especially those from underrepresented groups. Let's also ensure that the legacy of the Games truly benefits everyone, not just a few. How can you make a difference? Discover local initiatives, get moving and participate in all movements ensuring that athletes are included in all their forms!. ⚽🌿💪 #EuropeanWeekofSport #Paris2024Legacy #InclusionThroughSport #BeActive #SportsForAll #MakeAnImpact #TheFrenchyUmpire

The TGM Global Olympics Report 2024 is officially here, just in time for the upcoming Games! Did you know that 52% of the global audience is eagerly awaiting the Olympics 2024™? This is just one of the many fascinating data points uncovered in our latest report, tailored to help you elevate your game plan and strategy during this monumental event. 📊 Key Insights Include: - Global interest and enthusiasm for the Olympics 2024™. - Popular sources and platforms for following the Games. - Effective strategies for leveraging social media during the Olympics. - Awareness levels of the 2024 Summer Olympics location and sponsors. Turn the global spotlight into your advantage and make this Olympic season a winning moment for your brand now: https://lnkd.in/eT2CSXRB #TGMResearch #research #marketresearch #onlineresearch #datacollection #sports #SportsMarketing #OlympicInsights #BrandStrategy #Olympics2024 #Paris2024 #RoadtoParis2024