Team USA women's track stars had an outstanding night Wednesday, sweeping the gold, silver and bronze in in the 100-meter hurdles. Team USA continues to have more 2016 medals (93) than any other country at the Summer Olympics in Rio. Here's what marketers need to know about the last 24 hours of the Olympics:
Team USA's Medal Count Climbs, With Big Boost From Hurdlers
U.S. women swept the 100-meter hurdles Wednesday, the first time one country won the top three medals in this event. Brianna Rollins won the gold, Nia Ali took the silver, and Kristi Castlin earned the bronze. (SB Nation)
Here's the medal leaderboard as it stood going into Thursday, according to NBC Olympics:
United States: 93
China: 54
Great Britain: 50
Russia: 41
Japan: 33
Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross Beat Brazil for Bronze
Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross won the bronze in the women's beach volleyball tournament Wednesday. This win was Walsh Jennings' fourth Olympic medal (though her first time ending without gold), and she is now the oldest female medal winner in beach volleyball history. Germany won the gold. (NBC)
Jack Conger, Gunnar Bentz Stopped at Airport, Ordered to Stay in Brazil
American swimmers Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were stopped by authorities at the airport Wednesday seeking answers about an alleged robbery of the pair and fellow teammate Ryan Lochte. The athletes previously said they were robbed in a taxi Sunday while returning to the athletes village, but Brazilian authorities have cast doubts on the swimmers' depiction of events. (ESPN)
Usain Bolt and Andre De Grasse Charmed the World at the 200-Meter Finish Line
Jamaican Usain Bolt and Canadian Andre De Grasse enjoyed a laugh as they approached the finish line during the 200-meter semifinal on Wednesday, and their clear admiration for each other instantly became a viral hit. Bolt is heading to the 200-meter men's final after finishing first in the semifinal. (SB Nation)
That look you give your friend when your teacher says you can pick your own partner.
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 18, 2016
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3 Brands Using Facebook in Particularly Effective Ways During the Rio Games
Adweek zeroes in on three brands using particularly effectively during the Rio games: GE, Skol and Bradesko. The brands are using Facebook Live, Facebook Canvas, Facebook ads, and more. (Adweek)
NBC Suffers Prime-Time Ratings Woes on Tuesday
Tuesday night's Rio games had their highs and lows—Simone Biles and Aly Raisman received medals on the final night of the gymnastics competition, and Kerri Walsh Jennings and teammate April Ross of the U.S. women's beach volleyball team suffered defeat from Brazil. 25.6 million total viewers tuned in to NBC during prime time with a 14.3 household rating, the lowest household rating since the first Saturday of the Olympic games. (Adweek)
When Olympics Hero Simone Biles Met Her Crush, Zac Efron, the Internet Went Kablooey
Hoda Kotb, of NBC's Today show, heard that Simon Biles has a crush on TV and film star Zac Efron. So Kotb planned a surprise visit from Efron, and that moment created Tuesday's buzziest moment in social (497,832 retweets, comments and likes, according to 4C). (Adweek)
BMW Mini's Head of U.S. Marketing on Olympics Glory, Election Year Advertising and Trusting Your Agency
BMW is using Version 2.0 of its "Defy Labels" advertising campaign during the Summer Olympics, having the athletes tell their stories. Online the brand is featuring long-form interviews, using paid social media ads and social media with athletes. (Campaign US)
Laurie Hernandez's Agent Says Brands Are Lining Up To Work With The Olympian
Laurie Hernandez won the Olympic silver medal Monday, and, according to her agent, Sheryl Shade, calls have already started coming in to discuss sponsorships. "I probably heard from 10 major Fortune 100 companies as soon as she did it," explained Shade. "They were paying attention." (The Huffington Post)