With all the high level, high tech, multi-tiered investment and brand building ideas that come along, sometimes its the simplest that can be both fun, generate buzz and create some easy fundraising and brand building ideas. One that is gaining interest and is assisting athletes in Canada as we move towards Vancouver 2010 is a site called Toques and Beavers. The site, with a simple and entertaining flash game, gives people of all ages the chance to play against others or by themselves and raise funds for Canadian athletes training to compete next year. No multi-media, high tech social media components with layered themes and glitz. It is easy to get, it is fun, it doesn’t crowd your desktop and it is easy to share. Maybe its too simple in this gadget ag. Perhaps. But the game signifies what the Games used to be…no strings attached and a simple way to raise funds for non-sponsored athletes to train and compete for Canada. Almost a throwback idea, but a good one that falls under the “Keep it simple” banner. It is exactly what you think it is, and the low overhead makes the transfer of funds right to the athlete very simple. Good idea in a complex time.
Some other good reads… Media Post had a good piece this week on 1800 tequila's branding deal with the LA Lakers…Crain's New York has a good small business feature on Inside Sports and Entertainment…and the New York Times’ Ken Belson has a great piece on how major and minor league teams are working together to share expenses and build brands in these challenging times…
