With the imminent arrival of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, there remain a few grey areas for UK businesses wishing to capitalise on the hype surrounding such a momentous event. To minimise ambush marketing campaigns and other such exploitation of the Olympics and Paralympics, there have been new rules put into place which restrict certain usages of the brand, as well as advertising of any kind in set event zones.

Regulations
According to regulations bought into effect on the 2nd December, the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games have prohibited street advertising and trade in set event zones during the games unless they have full authorisation from the London Organising Committee. This effectively stops businesses and organisations that have not paid sponsorship from advertising at venues or associating products/services with the Olympic Games

Businesses and organisations are not allowed to associate their brand or products with the Games without permission – which also means that unauthorised use of the London 2012 and Olympics logos is prohibited.

A business or person acting on behalf of a business is not allowed to endorse or promote a product or service in any of the designated zones during the set times without the proper authorisation – although there are exceptions.

Exceptions
If advertising falls into non-promotional categories such as publicising beliefs or marking a commemoration then exceptions are made. However, according to reports, ministers are planning legal action to restrict public protests (such as Occupy) during the Olympics amid fears that Britain could be disrupted by lengthy and high-profile demonstrations.

Additional exceptions allow brands to be displayed on the body, on personal property or on branded clothing, applicable unless the individual “knows or has reasonable cause to believe that he or she is participating in an ambush marketing campaign”.

In short, businesses are not to use the Olympic or Paralympic Games as a marketing tool unless they are an official sponsor. Refrain from using any variation of the London 2012 or Olympics logos as well as any language that could be seen as Olympics-related, i.e. the words Games, Two Thousand and Twelve, 2012 or Twenty-Twelve used in conjunction with London, medals, sponsors, summer, gold, silver or bronze.

Ambush marketing – don’t do it!
Advertisement that is undertaken without appropriate payment to the Olympics is defined as an ‘ambush marketing campaign’, and is prohibited under new laws. This practice refers to an act intended specifically to advertise goods/services in an event zone during the relevant event period.

Official partners of the Olympics and Paralympics will often pay millions of pounds for exclusive rights to associate their brand with the Games in their particular area. With this considered, many large scale sporting events attract ambush marketing which often results in competitor’s brands gaining more attention and publicity than the event’s official sponsors.

Under the new London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act the Government is legally obliged to create regulations and restrictions on advertising and street trading in the vicinity of the events. These regulations must specify the period of time that the restrictions come into effect, with separate advertising and trade regulations soon to be published for Scotland and Wales.

To celebrate the launch of our new website we are offering free delivery on orders until 21/02/12.

Terms and Conditions:-
Free delivery is available until 21/02/12, excludes shipping outside of the UK. Can not be used in conjunction with any other discount. Free delivery up to the value of £50, for delivery charges over this threshold customers will be required to pay the additional amount.

Many thanks
Marler Haley Team

When designing graphics for your display products, the colours that you choose can make or break the design. The right colours can ensure that your message stands out from the crowd, whilst complementing your brand and adding a touch of professionalism.  The question is: where do you start? We think that you should consider the 3 following factors:

1. What colour is your logo?
Your company logo will inevitably be a key feature of the display. It could also be the starting point with which to base the colour scheme on. For example, our logo is blue, grey and white, as we know that these colours work well together. We have also selected a background image that complements them, forming a good solid foundation for the banner stand design. We would then add appropriately coloured text – neutral colours such as grey and black, along with an accented colour picked out from your logo can look very effective.

2. Where is your display product going to be used?
Where your display products are going to be used should determine the background colours that your product will use in order to stand out. If you have an advertising flag which is going to be seen against a blue sky or a white marquee, then avoiding white or blue will ensure that it stands out as much as possible. The same applies if your display is going to be in front of a white wall. This outdoor banner does really well to jump out from its surroundings.

3. Complimentary colours
Choosing complementary colours might seem obvious, and many people already intuitively choose colours that complement each other. But, if you are like me and you need a little bit of assistance, then a colour wheel can be a great help. Three colours next to each other on the colour wheel can work really well together; with one colour acting as the dominant colour whilst the others can be used as accent colours.  Colours opposite each other are considered complementary, and whilst clashing colours can be used, they must be used carefully.

If you would like any advice we would be happy to help.

Fundraising and increasing awareness for charities and their causes is always very important. Our experience has shown that there are core products to which charities show a certain preference. 

Roller Banner Stands

We have seen roller banner stands being used by charities in a variety of ways, such as in the foyer of a headquarters or at a fundraising event.

As you can see in this picture, the charity has used a banner stand to communicate their key message and direct people to their website in order to find out more about their cause. They have executed their message perfectly – simple, eye catching, and with a minimal amount of text.

Banner stands are available in a variety of sizes, from miniature banners which can sit on a table top display to stands that are over 2 meters wide, perfect for creating a stunning back drop to your display.

Outdoor Flags

Outdoor flags are a great way of attracting people’s attention towards your whereabouts. They are portable enough to be used at an event and sturdy enough to be used on an on-going basis on site. 

As flags are often seen from a distance, the design must be simple and clear. Here, the Prostate Scotland organisation have displayed their web site address and logo, which we feel does the job brilliantly.  

Outdoor PVC Banners

Outdoor PVC banners are eye catching, simple to use, hardwearing and cost effective. They can be used in a variety of locations, attached using an eyelet system which makes putting them up simple.

PVC banners are hardwearing and can be used as a temporary or permanent outdoor display. Outdoor PVC banners can be custom made to fit your size requirements, allowing you more freedom with your message whilst ensuring a perfect fit.

Customer Review – Animal Care Fundraising – 5 Stars – 20/06/2011

This is a great banner, containing all of the required information whilst being versatile and easy to display.

Folding Display Boards

Many charities find the freestanding folding display boards a great way of presenting their printed material, giving them the flexibility to update their display as often as required at no additional cost. Display board systems come in a variety of sizes, with the table top displays being particularly popular with charities.

Printed Branded Tablecloths

Tablecloths are a great way to finish a display. Charities often attend events where they are provided with space for a display table. Branded tablecloths can give a professional finish to a display whilst helping to hide a multitude of sins beneath the table!