U.S. TV Series Takes on Iconic TOP Sponsor Ad -- Media Watch

(ATR)One of the most enigmatic TV characters has viewers doubting the story behind the famous 1971"I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" ad.

The final episode of the U.S. TV series Mad Men ended on Sunday with its main character, Don Draper, seemingly coming up with the idea forthe iconic Coke ad.

Under the direction of show creator Matthew Weiner, Mad Men follows various characters vying to succeed in the world of New York City advertising firms throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s.

Coca-Cola, prominently featured throughout Mad Men's seventh and final season, has beena worldwide partner of the Olympic Games for decades.

In reality, the 1971"I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke" ad was the idea ofBill Backer, creative director on the Coca-Cola account for McCann Erickson at the time.

According to Coca-Cola's website, Backer came up with the idea during a flight to London.

After bad weather forced his plane to land in Shannon, Ireland, instead, Backer was inspired by how many of the passengers on his flight seemed to relax after chatting over food and Cokes in the airport cafe.

The commercial made its TV debut in July 1971.

Golf's Return to the Olympics

On May 20, the Universal Sports Network is highlighting golf's upcoming return to the Olympic Games in a special edition of "Beyond the Medals."

The sport will be part of the Olympic program next year for the first time since 1904.

Scott Blackmun, president of the United States Olympic Committee and Steve Loy, president of Lagardère Unlimited Golf will join host Rick Horrow during the special.

Lagardère Unlimited represents players across the globe including U.S. golf stars Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Keegan Bradley.

21-year-old Spieth, who recently won his first major at the 2015 Masters Tournament, tells Horrow that he is ready to work hard for a spot at the 2016 Rio Games.

"To actually have that opportunity now is something that we're gonna set out to work as hard as I can in order to get there, and to play for the United States in the Olympics."

"Beyond the Medals"is a one-hour magazine TV show that airs on the third Wednesday of every month.

Olympic dream foiled

Brazilian aerial skier, and Olympic gymnast, Lais Souza is rebuilding her life one movement at a time.

Last year, Souza crashed during a training run in Park City, Utah. The crash left the then-25-year-oldparalyzed.

A statement released at the time by the University of Utah Healthcare system said Souza suffered a severe cervical spinal cord injury and underwent surgery to realign and stabilize her spinal column.

Souza had hoped to become the first Olympian in gymnastics to compete in the Winter Olympics.

New York Times writer Sarah Lyall recalls the day of Souza's crash through interviews with those closest to the Olympian.

"For Souza, the memory has splintered into elusive fragments, shards of moments with no coherent narrative.

But the story she sees in her mind always ends the same way: She is lying helpless in the snow."

Compiled byNicole Bennett

Home page photo: Getty Images

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