Funny Friday: Donovan and other funny Soccer Ads

Earlier this year, the US Men’s National Team did something that sounded like a joke: they left Landon Donovan off of the 23 man World Cup squad. Avid soccer fans were upset that the Captain wouldn’t be making the trip down to Brazil; non-soccer fans were upset because the only US soccer player they had […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: Brazil’s Economy 101

If you remember, the 2014 World Cup was held in Brazil earlier this summer, but did you know Brazil has the largest economy in Latin America and the seventh largest in the world? At least they do measured by their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which according to the CIA’s World Factbook was $2.19 trillion USD in 2013. It’s […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: Nike Risks Win Internet

As many of you may have heard, this little event called the FIFA World Cup is in its final stages. With such a huge worldwide event that happens every four years, brands are at war to capture and capitalize on the attention of such a large audience. Although the USA was beaten by Belgium in […]

Throwback Thursday: Uncle Sam

It’s the Thursday before the Fourth of July, and I honestly can’t get America off the brain. Maybe it’s because of all the patriotism Chicago’s citizens exhibited during the U.S. Men’s National Soccer team’s work during the World Cup, or because after being in the working world and witnessing certain unfortunate global truths around the […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: World Cup Under The Influence

Mostly every sports fanatic (21 and over that is) has experienced the bittersweet feeling of enjoying a cold, alcoholic beverage at their favorite sporting event; but for Brazilian soccer fans, this World Cup is the first time in eleven years they will be able to purchase alcohol in the stadiums and cheer on their national […]

Trending News Monday: Say it Ain’t Solo

From the pitch to the pen, the top three stories circulating on social media this weekend either involved soccer or the slammer… or both, and we’ve collected them all here for today’s Trending News Monday.   News from the Pitch: Dramatic USA-Portugal Match The USMNT had a chance to solidify USA’s spot in the second […]

Just for Fun Friday: Ochoa Saves Mexico

The 2014 World Cup competition is well under way, and teams are fighting each other to advance from the preliminary group play stage. So far in this year’s competition, there have been a total of 60 goals, all of which have incited pride and depression across the globe as spectators gather to support their top […]

Two for Tuesday: Technology in Latin America

If the World Cup is doing one thing outside the sports arena, it’s showing that the web is alive and well in South America. Latin America is one area that has seen tremendous growth in gaining access to the Internet. Most of this growth is through the increased reach of mobile phone technology. In 2012, 98% […]

Trending World Cup News Monday

While the Spurs may have cut the grudge-match NBA Finals short yesterday, defeating the Heat 104 to 87, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is just getting started. Group play is underway, with Groups G and H getting their first group games in over the next two days. Thus far, the tournament has spawned surprises both on […]

Throwback Thursday: World Cup Anthems

With Brazil and Croatia’s kickoff earlier today, the 2014 FIFA World Cup is officially underway. As I’m writing for a largely American audience, I’m just sensing a “why should I care” response—especially since baseball is in full swing and the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are both well underway. In that light, let me just […]

Two for Tuesday: Brands with Pride

Last month, President Barack Obama declared June the official Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month… giving advertisers less than 30 days to chime in and support their consumers. Illinois already recognized the beginning of pride month last Sunday (June 1), when the it became the nineteenth state to legalize gay marriage. In his statement last […]

Wisdom.Applied Wednesday: Americans, Advertisers and the World Cup

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is just fifteen days away, and advertisers all over the world are gearing up for the event. Of course, American advertisers might have to try a little harder than marketers in other countries. Ad Age summed up the American World Cup ad game pretty succinctly with an article title: “Here’s How ESPN is […]