With the 2012 London Olympics firmly in our rearview mirror, now is a good time to look back and see what we can all learn. Here are three important lessons that you can use to help you get more media coverage and increase buzz about your program.

1. We love winners: Regardless of the sport, the we all love a winner (or love to hate them) so the media is going to serve up what we want. The US basketball team, Kerri Walsh/Misty May-Treanor and Gabby Douglas garnered a lot of attention because they are winners. It’s an easy story for the media to cover and consumers like you and I love to read about winners. It’s fair to say that we’re all trying to win so there’s not much of an actionable lesson there.
2. We love a personality: Whether they’re outrageous or a jerk, we love someone with personality. If you’re a winner and you have an outrageous personality, you’re looking at a real product that the media craves. This combination means money for the media (in advertising dollars) and money for the athlete (sponsorships). Usain Bolt is a winner. When you combine that with his at times outrageous statements and outrageous ego, you’re looking at a goldmine. Good examples outside of the Olympics are John MacEnroe and bowler and MMA star Chael Sonnen. As far as a lesson goes, its hard to take action on this one too in that you shouldn’t try to be someone you’re not.