Nedoroscik’s pommel horse perfection ends 16-year U.S. men’s gymnastics medal drought
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Stephen Nedoroscik delivered a pivotal performance on the pommel horse, clinching a bronze medal for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team and ending a 16-year Olympic medal drought. While all of his teammates competed in multiple events, Nedoroscik was the first American gymnast to make the Olympic team as a specialist in a single event. Nedoroscik faced immense pressure to help secure the team’s first medal since 2008. In a dramatic finale, he performed the last routine of the team final, achieving a score of 14.866, the highest of any American gymnast in any event. Now beloved by the internet as “Pommel Horse Guy,” his outstanding performance ensured the U.S. men’s team finally returned to the Olympic podium after over a decade.
Takeaways
Nedoroscik’s success stemmed from his unique position as “The Specialist” in the pommel horse event. In the PR world, embracing and promoting the unique strengths and perspectives of individual team members can create a distinct competitive edge. Nedoroscik’s triumph on the pommel horse illustrates the power of specialization and its impact on achieving remarkable results. As an agency, our knowledge is wide and deep. Within this pool of knowledge, some specialists dive even deeper, honing specific areas of expertise. This targeted approach allows individuals to become top performers in their fields, significantly contributing to the overall success of our projects. Nedoroscik’s individual excellence was crucial for the U.S. men’s gymnastics team, mirroring how specialized roles within an agency team—whether in media relations, content creation, or digital strategy—can drive exceptional results that contribute to the overall success of our campaigns.
Written by: Leigh-Anne Borkowski
This is Pommel Horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik. He didn’t move from his spot for two hours while he simply waited for his one special moment.
He mentioned that he is cross-eyed and that he can inexplicably switch his dominant eye. Before his routine, Nedoroscik removed his… pic.twitter.com/AP9pnStCHa
— Sarah Fields (@SarahisCensored) July 31, 2024
“Underconsumption Core”: Buying only what you need is a movement
“Underconsumption Core” – Are you already part of it? If you’re not drowning in duplicate products, you might be. Terms like ‘underconsumption-core’ and ‘money dysmorphia’ describe the impact of influencer marketing and unrealistic advertising. Underconsumption-core advocates for a lifestyle less dependent on excessive consumerism. Influencers promoting this trend encourage owning just one Stanley Cup, embracing second-hand shopping, and keeping essential beauty products only. “Flagrant displays of wealth that were once aspirational are now insensitive,” a creator told the Times.
A Y-Pulse study found 45% of individuals aged 13 to 22 feel content creators no longer hold the same influence, and 53% prefer recommendations from everyday people. Customers feel duped by fraudulent followers, paid promotions, or wealth differences. These discussions urge Gen Z to evaluate their spending habits, driven by inflation, healthcare costs, debt, a challenging job market, and the seemingly unattainable dream of homeownership. This brings forth “money dysmorphia,” where perceived financial stability is undermined by influencers’ contrasting lifestyles.
Takeaways
Maybe I don’t need a color-coded array of beauty products or multiple pairs of the same yoga pants to feel like a corporate powerhouse who crushes it at 5 am. Buying the next best thing, or multiple versions of the best thing, can certainly be a dopamine booster. However, the cost contributes to a larger array of financial and sustainability issues that, as is already evident, can be overwhelming to keep up with.
From a marketing standpoint, brands targeting Gen Z consumers may need to rethink the relatability of their influencers. If “underconsumption-core” to Gen Z means buying only what you need, it raises questions about what’s truly necessary. Brands could speak to customers in a way that validates their choices—embracing the idea that having one version of a single item is perfectly fine and ensuring their messaging aligns with this mindset. This might translate to a focus on quality over quantity, messaging centered around mindful consumption, and a commitment to transparent sustainability practices.
@sophie_hinn I could make a series out of this 😂 #underconsumption ♬ Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
Google’s Olympics ad went viral for all the wrong reasons
Google faced unexpected backlash to its Olympics advertisement for its new Artificial Intelligence tool, Gemini. The commercial shows a young girl training to be like her sports hero, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, when her dad tells Gemini that his daughter wants to write a letter to Sydney. He provides prompts to Gemini to write the letter for her, including prompts like, “she wants to show Sydney some love.”
The advertisement was met with strong public criticism as it was seen as yet another reminder that generative AI technology is increasingly positioned as a replacement for human activity and emotion. Audiences cited that they “flatly reject the future that Google is advertising.”
Takeaways
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t have a strong opinion about AI and its role in our society today. AI’s champions focus on the best that AI has to offer (think more efficient information processing and opportunities for innovation) and its critics focus on the most nefarious use cases in cybersecurity threats and AI bias. However, the meat of the bell curve of public opinion seems to land in one generality: AI is good when it can augment the best of human activity, but it needs to be controlled and further studied.
It’s here where technology brands need to find their sweet spot of AI messaging.
The difference between success and failure for tech companies right now is the same for any brand: Trust. Unfortunately for tech companies, they have a mountain to climb to establish it amid seemingly endless cyber threats and data privacy controversies. Meaning, the way they handle AI skepticism now will define their credibility with their customers for years to come. This experience is a lesson to everyone: Understand your audience’s state of mind, empathize with their fears, and provide them a solution that shows them you’re their partner.
Donors who give through DAFs tend to be generous contributors, study finds
According to Barron’s and the DAF Fundraising Report, various nonprofit organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, and the ACLU, reported that donor-advised funds (DAFs) increased the number of individuals who donate and doubled the amount of money they give annually.
According to the report, from 2019 to 2023, “DAFs generated revenue grew by 214%” on average, whereas “revenue sourced from donors outside of DAFs rose by only 1%.”
Despite recent criticism of DAFs, which allow primarily wealthy donors to receive tax deductions on these donations, and the IRS’ potential rule changes the qualifications of DAFs, DAF contributions have “totaled $229 billion in 2022, up from nearly $45 billion in 2012.”
Takeaways
With the total number of non-profit organizations in the US increasing to 1.97 million operating in 2022 (USA Facts), there are even more options and opportunities for individuals and corporations to engage with a nonprofit organization that matters to them.
Fundraising is a core need of every nonprofit organization and is a leading factor in their ability to provide services and expand their impact within their communities. While this is important to the organization, it is also important to go beyond the dollar and provide the human element to humanity.
With TEAM LEWIS Foundation, we support these organizations by providing a financial donation and our global network of marketing communications experts in our services (PR, marketing, creative, digital, research, etc.). By providing these organizations with the tools and resources to succeed, we create a more holistic approach to CSR and donations.
While financial donations are crucial for these organizations, we know that supporting them with our time, money, and creative services helps them achieve their ambitions.
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