Olympic Games Ceremonies. An Event Management Perspective - The Branding of a City

Master's Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject Communications - Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, Social Media, grade: 7.5, Leeds Metropolitan University (Carnagie), course: Masters in Event Management, language: English, abstract: The major purpose of this study is to analyse the major impact that an Olympic Games ceremony has on the branding of a city and of a nation, looking to take the current level of research and improving on this with an enhanced analysis of the subject using a case study approach. The study has focused on one main research question. What is the impact of an Olympic Ceremony on the image of a host city? This question was further explored with three core components which were analysed and which included the discovery of the extent to which an Olympic Games ceremony could help to create an image of a specific city / country, the importance ascribed to Olympic Games ceremonies and how they are deemed to be vital in leading to rising tourist numbers as well as a consideration of the major short and long-term socio-economic impacts of an Olympic Games ceremony on a host city.

John holds a MSc in Events Management and has over 15 years of extensive international and regional experience with shows spanning all continents except Antarctica. He has been involved in theatrical productions, concerts and large-scale events since 1996, with a proven track record of over 500 shows and events on his resume. He has participated in 12 international opening and closing ceremonies in different sporting events ranging from Olympic Games to world and regional championships. His technical skills and understanding cover the fields of sound, set, and prop design and electrical show installations, and he is well-versed in the latest theatrical automation techniques involving hydraulic and pneumatic systems and performer flying effects. He holds training certificates for Theatrical and Arena Rigging, studied Lighting Programming and is a fireworks designer licensed by the government of Canada. John worked on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Ceremonies as the Venue Project Manager on behalf of the organising committee ceremonies department. After 2 years on the Olympic Games he moved to the Middle East to continue his events career. He has also worked on the Doha 2005 West Asian Games Ceremonies, the Doha 2006 Asian Games Ceremonies, produced the Doha 2009 Gymnasiade Opening Ceremony and was part of the Ceremonies management team for the AFC Asian Cup Doha 2011. His other involvements include designing the ceremonies for three Emiri Cup Finals and one Heir Apparent Cup in the State of Qatar while also having managed the largest fireworks installation in Doha, Qatar for the AFC Asian Cup 2011. Since mid 2011 John has been working as the Director of Events for Innovations Unlimited ME, a local event agency based in Doha, Qatar. He is an active lecturer and a member of the ISES - International Special Events Society Middle East Chapter.