NextGen 2020 - Sponsors, Media

(ATR) The relaxation of Rule 40 in the Olympic Charter could change the way Olympic athletes can market their fame during the Games.

Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympics where athletes can promote their association with sponsors not part of the worldwide program of the IOC. The U.S., Germany, Australia and Japan are among the important NOCs which have adopted guidelines for their athletes to follow in Tokyo.

Airbnb, the newest worldwide sponsor of the Olympics, was in its infancy 10 years ago. Now the company that is shaking up the accommodations industry will perhaps do the same for the way housing at the Games is handled.

At Coca-Cola, Ricardo Forte is leading the sponsor’s pushtoward Tokyo and beyond. That includes a joint deal with Chinese dairy products firm Mengiu that’s a first for Coke.

Sustainability is the message for Dow, with executive Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi out front for the company.

The IOC begins the new year with a communications director. Christian Klaue has held the post on an interim basis for the past year. Formerly with the German NOC, Klaue now officially can lead IOC communications efforts with some authority and forethought.

Joining the IOC late in 2019 is Christopher Carroll, the first digital engagement officer for the IOC. The former Coke executive is from the U.S.

At NBC TV, Molly Solomon is the first woman to near the summit of NBC’s Olympic empire, She’ll head NBC’s production for the Olympic rightsholder.

Richard Carrion, long time IOC member in Puerto Rico, is now the chair of the Olympic Channel board of directors.

Reported by Ed Hula.