WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Dan Gingiss

With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Dan Gingiss, based in Chicago, an international keynote speaker and customer experience coach who believes that a remarkable customer experience can be a brand's best form of marketing. His 25-year professional career has consistently focused on delighting customers, spanning multiple disciplines including customer experience, marketing, social media, and customer service at companies such as McDonald’s, Discover, and Humana. Dan's books provide practical tools to build loyalty, spark word-of-mouth, and grow businesses through remarkable experiences.

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

DAN GINGISS: My favorite Winter Olympics sport has to be downhill skiing. There’s something mesmerizing about watching athletes push themselves to the limit — balancing speed, precision, and control on a razor’s edge. It reminds me a lot of business and customer experience. To deliver something truly remarkable, you’ve got to take calculated risks, stay laser-focused, and trust your preparation even when the terrain changes beneath you.

I love how downhill skiers commit fully — once they push off that starting gate, there’s no turning back. That’s the mindset I try to bring into my work: commit to the experience, stay present in every twist and turn, and make the ride unforgettable for the audience.

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

DAN GINGISS: For me, it’s synchronized skating. You’ve got multiple athletes moving as one, adapting in real time, and making split-second adjustments while staying beautifully aligned. That’s what great CX cultures do — they synchronize across departments so the customer experiences seamless grace, not internal chaos. The best teams make the hard work invisible and the experience effortless.

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

DAN GINGISS: The one that sticks with me is the U.S. men’s curling team winning gold in 2018. Nobody expected them to win — they weren’t the favorites, they just kept showing up, learning from every mistake, and staying focused on their own race. That perfectly reflects Suzanne’s point: you define your own version of victory For them, victory wasn’t about beating Canada or Sweden — it was about constant progress and trust in their process. That mindset is gold for business leaders too.

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

DAN GINGISS: I’d bring in Ryan Reynolds. He’s mastered the art of storytelling that’s equal parts witty, immersive, shareable, and extraordinary — the exact ingredients of my WISE framework for creating remarkable experiences. Reynolds has a gift for taking any brand or event and making it culturally relevant without losing sincerity. He’d find the human moments in the competition, celebrate the athletes, and create those shareable stories that make people say, “I need to watch this.” And since we’re talking experience — I’d have him co-host social media live streams with Olympians after their events, turning fans into participants. That’s how you turn a broadcast into an experience.

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

DAN GINGISS: I think it’s wonderful — and a long-overdue change in perspective. Kirsty Coventry brings lived experience from regions and communities that haven’t always had a voice on the global sports stage. That’s going to reshape the Olympic experience itself — how athletes are supported, how fans are engaged, and how the Games evolve for future generations.

Just like in business, when leaders understand that every customer base is diverse in almost any way you can define diversity, then companies develop better products and marketing. Not everyone uses the same products, or even the same product the same way (I often think about how every single Apple iPhone home screen is unique). Smart companies realize this and adapt to expand their audience; I'm sure Kirsty will do the same for the Olympics.

SHARE THIS: Just like in business, when leaders understand that every customer base is diverse in almost any way you can define diversity, then companies develop better products and marketing. ~Dan Gingiss #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, make a note on your calendar to swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day through February 22nd for leadership and marketing inspiration. A small interruption to the series will take place on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," then  the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!

Image Credit: Olympics.

Read Dan's previous appearance here on my blog:

The Alignment Between Customer Experiences and Marketing (October 4, 2021)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/10/the-alignment-between-customer.html

Check out Dan's blog:

https://dangingiss.com/blog/

It's a Wrap on Super Bowl LX's Ads and Social Media Conversations

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? Were you eagerly waiting for touchdowns? Or were you part of the 18 percent who only watched the game to be entertained by the ads? For marketers and many others, we tend to keep only one eye tuned onto the game because we really only want to watch the ads.

According to USA Today, "For one day a year, people can't wait to cozy up on the couch and watch commercials during the Super Bowl. For some, it's a nice sideshow to the big game. For others, it's the main event. In a world where everything is an ad, we do our best to escape them, unless it's the Super Bowl. Companies spend a fortune for just 30 seconds of our time, hoping to capture a market. It might just be the one day a year where the public isn't buried in their phones, channel-surfing, or doing a variety of other things at once."

For Super Bowl 1 in 1967, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost $37,500 (which was more than the cost of the average house!) - and with inflation, that is about $350,000 in 2025 dollars. For Super Bowl 60, that same 30-second ad cost $8 million with some premium spots costing $10 million, according to Mike Marshall, head of global advertising for NBCUniversal.

According to Aimee Picchi, associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl."

According to Sean Muller, CEO of advertising research firm iSpot, "Advertisers are seeing the Super Bowl as an opportunity to catch a break from concerns about the economy and polarized political views. They really want to get people to not worry for a few hours. I think that's why humor has made such a surge."

An interesting note about the Super Bowl and branding. Ever wonder why the logos include Roman numerals? According to CBS Sports, "For nearly 60 years, the Super Bowl has become a central part of American culture well beyond the sphere of pro football and is one of the select few mainstream events still using Roman numerals, a system that has largely been forgotten. Although the numeral system of Ancient Rome began to fall out of use in favor of Arabic numerals around the 14th century, there are still a few instances in which Roman numerals are commonly used: on clock faces, to identify lineages -- particularly for royalty and other important figures -- and to denote each edition of the Super Bowl. The use of Roman numerals for each Super Bowl dates back to the fifth Super Bowl, with the league adopting the use of the system to avoid confusion over the year the game is associated with. The Super Bowl is always played in the year following a chronologically recorded season, so while this Super Bowl is being played in 2026, the game itself will determine the champion of the 2025 NFL season. In addition, the idea to use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl is also credited to Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who believed that their use would add an element of grandeur to the NFL's biggest game. Hunt, of course, is credited with coining the term Super Bowl."

According to AdAge's Amani Duncan, "When Cambridge Dictionary declared "parasocial" the word of the year last year, it captured a defining characteristic of consumer expectations: connection drives commerce. People want intimacy. They expect brands to feel like people, behave like peers, and communicate like someone who's read the channels they're in. You can't do that by holding growth audiences at arm's length. To build trust with these communities, a winning approach is to have a genuine and sustained posture to understand the experiences, habits, and perspectives that shape how these growth audiences move through the world. Today's growth audiences, who are younger, more diverse, and will continue to represent trillions in spending power, are driving culture. Economists see it, anthropologists agree, and consumers following behavioral patterns confirm it. They're reshaping aesthetics, values, and expectations at a pace that legacy marketing playbooks were never designed to match.

Here's the good news: we're in the middle of a once-in-a-generation reset that rewards the brands willing to get closer, listen harder, and step fully into the conversation. It requires showing up with enough humility and curiosity to be shaped by the communities you hope to serve. Because the brands that will win the next decades won't be the ones with the biggest budgets (although that never hurts). They'll be the ones who treated this as a real strategic assignment, engaging consistently, and understanding the communities' shaping taste and buying behavior. That's why the mandate for business leaders everywhere is simple: if you haven't won the trust and loyalty of growth audiences by 2030, you haven't built a business to last."

With that commentary in mind, it's worth repeating this timeless quote from Landor Associates: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?"

While there was no ad similar to Apple's 1984 ad; no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser's post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales; no animated Coca Cola polar bears; and no Tweet clever enough to rival Oreo's "dunking in the dark" from 2013's "Blackout Bowl" at the Superdome in New Orleans; some ads did stand out to me, and without further ado, here they are:

BUDWEISER - "American Icons": Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal found an eaglet, a baby eagle, and during the span of the ad, helped it to learn how to fly. The ad's imagery was impressive - and the ad was the best of this year's crop of ads.

PEPSI - "The Choice": At the Super Bowl time of year, a polar bear is synonymous with Coca-Cola. So once the viewer sees a polar bear, Coca-Cola immediately comes to mind. However, not so fast. In this humorous ad, the polar bear is happy once he drinks from a PEPSI can!

LAY'S POTATO CHIPS - "Last Harvest": A father celebrates retirement as a farmer and gives his farm to his daughter. The ad celebrates family and American farming.

MINIONS & MONSTERS: A day before the Super Bowl, there was a post on Twitter/X with the message "getting super close." (Note the use of the word "super.") Then, there was a brief ad during the big game mentioning that the new Minions film would arrive in theaters on July 1st - and invited viewers to watch the trailer. So, this Minions fan immediately visited Twitter/X to watch the film's trailer. Looks like fun! This was an excellent combination of TV advertising with social media.

While there weren't more memorable ads, during the game, there were numerous "on brand" posts on Twitter/X. Here are some, in case you missed them:

* Krispy Kreme shared a dozen specially-decorated doughnuts with the message: "$2 original glazed dozen when you buy any dozen. A winning play for your gameday spread. Don't fumble this sweet deal."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica shared a fun fact: "Behind only Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest food consumption day in the U.S. Bon appetit."

* Encyclopaedia Britannica also shared an interesting infographic: "Time to update your Super Bowl stats, everyone."

* Merriam-Webster shared a funny post: "snacks - noun - a light meal: food eaten between regular meals."

* Peeps Brand shared a number of posts throughout the game with cute graphics: "The Big Game goes small."

* Avocados from Mexico shared a number of posts throughout the game with memorable graphics: "The real championship was all the guac we ate along the way." (That one was my favorite.)

* Avocados from Mexico responded to Pepsi on Twitter/X: "@Pepsi Find someone that looks at you like your polar bear stares at guac."

* Dr Pepper featured a cute graphic of several bears drinking Dr Pepper rather than Pepsi: "Just wait til that Polar Bear tries a Dr Pepper."

* Ty Inc. shared a post with some of its toys plus the message: "Who's ready for some football? Time for play."

* Library of Congress shared an amusing post: "WHO is excited for Superb Owl weekend? These owls from the Library's Japanese prints and drawings collection don't seem that thrilled, actually, although it's sure to be a hoot. They're enthusiastic about Bad Bunny, but they may not understand that he's a man, not a delicious small mammal."

A few timeless words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl LXI, scheduled for February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in my hometown of Los Angeles. This will be the 9th time that the Los Angeles area has hosted the Super Bowl, commemorating 60 years since the first title game in 1967. 

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, "The Super Bowl has never been on Valentine's Day. The closest the game has ever come to Valentine's Day was in 2022, when Super Bowl LVI was played on February 13th. So why is Super Bowl 61 being played on Valentine's Day? It's all thanks to the NFL's expanded season. In 2021, the NFL announced that all 32 clubs would play 17 games. While the Super Bowl is not held on the same day every year, it was held in January from 1967 through 2003. It shifted to the first Sunday of February from 2004 to 2022. It has since been the second Sunday of February due to the expanded season. However, there has been discussion of adding an 18th game to the season, which would push the big game to mid-February. According to USA TODAY, another game will require amending the league’s collective bargaining agreement, yet will also expand the revenue-sharing pie for owners and players."

No matter how many games are played during next year's regular season and playoffs, will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time during Super Bowl LXI? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: Budweiser, Pepsi, and Illumination (Minions).

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad review posts (I've written them annually since 2012!), search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term "super bowl" to access all the links.

To learn more about eagles, check out this link:

https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/learn/faq/

WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Elia Guardiola

With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Elia Guardiola, based in Madrid, Spain. Elia has been an international speaker for 11 years for corporate training programs worldwide and is also a professor at international universities and business schools in Spain and Latin America. She is the Founder of the StoryEmotion School, and since 2021, has been an official speaker at the e-World Marketing Summit led by Professor Philip Kotler. Elia has developed her own methodology for creating impactful storytelling with powerful narratives that drive results for corporations and businesses of all sizes and industries. She is a co-author of several books on Marketing and Communications and is also the creator of the Four Pillars of Emotional Marketing, which are taught in programs at international universities.

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

ELIA GUARDIOLA: Figure skating. There’s something hypnotic about it: strength and discipline disguised as elegance. It’s extreme technique presented as if it were effortless. And that’s exactly what we seek in leadership and communication: behind the complexity, a narrative that feels natural, light, almost magical.

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

ELIA GUARDIOLA: Curling. It might not be the most spectacular, but it’s the most transparent when it comes to collaboration. Every move matters, every team member has a precise, synergistic role. It’s the perfect metaphor for collective leadership: if one fails, the whole strategy falls apart.

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

ELIA GUARDIOLA: I remember the victory of the French ice dance pair Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron. They didn’t just win medals; they achieved something bigger: the respect of the audience and the feeling of transcendence. Their story is proof that true success isn’t only on the podium — it’s in coherence with yourself, in the ability to turn effort into legacy.

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

ELIA GUARDIOLA: I’d invite someone unexpected: an educational content creator who can translate what’s happening in each discipline into simple, emotional language. Today we don’t just need celebrities creating spectacle; we need storytellers creating meaning. Someone like Neil deGrasse Tyson, who turns science into poetry, could bring the Games closer to people who have never watched a skeleton or biathlon event.

SHARE THIS: Today we don’t just need celebrities creating spectacle; we need storytellers creating meaning. ~Elia Guardiola #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

ELIA GUARDIOLA: It’s about time. And I don’t say this only from a gender perspective, but because sports need voices that truly represent diversity. Coventry is a woman, an African, and an Olympic athlete. Her arrival at the IOC breaks inertia and opens the door to a more plural future. The real challenge will be ensuring that this diversity doesn’t remain symbolic, but translates into decisions that make the Games more inclusive, accessible, and human.

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Elia's two cents about that quote: I deeply believe in that statement. Athletes’ stories are living proof that failure also inspires — that vulnerability connects as much as glory. And in that sense, sport and life speak the same language: the human narrative that unites us all.

SHARE THIS: Athletes’ stories are living proof that failure also inspires — that vulnerability connects as much as glory. ~Elia Guardiola #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, make a note on your calendar to swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day through February 22nd for leadership and marketing inspiration. A small interruption to the series will take place on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," then  the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!

Image Credit: Olympics.

Read Elia's previous appearances here on my blog:

Let's Discuss Brand Storytelling to Celebrate World Marketing Day! (May 27, 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/05/lets-discuss-brand-storytelling-to.html

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Elia Guardiola (May 2, 2025)

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2025/05/spring-leadership-series-2025-featuring.html

Meet Elia at this link:

https://www.eliaguardiola.com/

Read about Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron:

https://www.olympics.com/en/news/olympic-ice-dance-champions-gabriella-papadakis-guillaume-cizeron-announce-end-competitive-career

Read about Neil deGrasse Tyson:

https://neildegrassetyson.com/profile/

WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Ian Golding

With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Ian Golding, based in Chester, England. Ian is a renowned Global Customer Experience Specialist. Having spent 18 years working in the corporate world, over the last 13 years, Ian has helped organizations in 60 countries understand how to operationalize the science of customer experience. He is also the first person authorized to teach the Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) accreditation. Ian's many articles and book "Customer What?" have been read by thousands of professionals around the world.

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

IAN GOLDING: I am torn between the Bobsleigh and the skeleton – Bobsleigh because I am a huge fan of the movie "Cool Runnings!" Skeleton because I am in complete awe and admiration for the courage it takes to go headfirst on your stomach down an icy slope on something that resembles a tea tray!

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

IAN GOLDING: I might be unusual in saying pairs figure skating for this one. Two people working in complete harmony, having to put 100 percent trust in each other to create something that is remarkably athletic and artistic is quite remarkable.

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

IAN GOLDING: As a Brit, I am always reminded of the determination shown by Eddie ‘the eagle’ Edwards who competed in ski jumping at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The first person to ever do so from Great Britain – with no support and no funding, whilst he came last (by some way), the courage and determination he showed to achieve his dream is the perfect demonstration to me of what victory is all about.

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

IAN GOLDING: Hmmmm – an interesting question. I am tempted to say Olaf – the snowman from the Movie "Frozen" – to attract a new audience. I think it is important to inspire potential athletes as early as possible, and I think Olaf would be the perfect character to do so with children all around the world.

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

IAN GOLDING: To me, leadership has nothing to do with gender or race. Leadership is demonstrated through the ability of a person to inspire others to follow. At its core, leadership is the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others toward a shared vision, goal, or purpose. It isn’t just about authority or position - it’s about creating conditions where people can succeed and feel motivated to contribute their best.

SHARE THIS: At its core, leadership is the ability to inspire, influence, and guide others toward a shared vision, goal, or purpose. ~Ian Golding #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, make a note on your calendar to swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day through February 22nd for leadership and marketing inspiration. A small interruption to the series will take place on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," then  the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!

Image Credit: Olympics.

Read Ian's previous appearance here on my blog:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2024/08/olympics-leadership-series-featuring_0391609636.html

Meet Ian at this link:

https://ijgolding.com/about-ian-golding/

WINTER OLYMPICS LEADERSHIP SERIES 2026 - Featuring Giovanni Cecchini

With the eyes of the world on Italy for the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics, which events are you looking forward to? In the spirit of previous leadership series here on my blog, I've asked a dozen leadership and marketing experts to respond to five questions with the hope that both the questions and answers lead you to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics in new and interesting ways.

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Giovanni Cecchini. I met Giovanni on LinkedIn after I read his timely article entitled, "In the Hert of Italian Tradition, Pasta is More than a Cultural Crown Jewel of Italy's Identity." His article began, "When you think of Italy, what comes to mind? The Colosseum? Renaissance art? A Vespa zipping through cobblestone streets? Sure, those are iconic, but let’s be honest — nothing screams "Italy" louder than a steaming plate of pasta. For Italians, pasta isn’t just food; it’s a way of life, a cultural cornerstone, and a delicious thread that ties generations together."

Giovanni earned degrees at the University of Amsterdam, University of Bocconi (Milan), and SDA Bocconi (Milan). He is currently the Director of Business Development for Fresca Pasta, a premium producer of authentic Italian pasta and food products, dedicated to exceptional quality, flavor, and sustainability.

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

GIOVANNI CECCHINI: My favorite Winter Olympics sport is alpine skiing — a passion that runs deep both personally and culturally. I am a proficient skier, originally from Milan, and I grew up skiing in Courmayeur, on the Italian side of Monte Bianco. The fact that Milan and Courmayeur are so close (about 137 miles apart) with a typical drive of around 2.5 hours — made Courmayeur a frequent and cherished destination for me.

Growing up, I have countless incredible memories from those trips. As a child, my family and I would go almost every weekend to enjoy the mountains and fresh air. Later, as I grew older, the tradition evolved — I started going with friends, and we would rent a flat together for the entire winter season, usually with a group of eight or nine. Those trips were filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the shared joy of exploring the slopes and the village. Courmayeur became more than just a ski resort; it was a second home where friendships were forged and unforgettable experiences were made.

What fascinates me about alpine skiing is its perfect blend of speed, precision, and adaptability. Skiing down a mountain requires not just physical strength and technical skill, but also acute mental focus and an instinctive connection with the terrain. The experience is as much about reading the mountain — its snow quality, slope angles, and weather changes — as it is about athleticism. This connection to nature and the challenge of the mountains grounds me, reminding me of the importance of balance between control and flow.

In many ways, alpine skiing reflects the qualities I value in marketing and leadership. It demands agility, quick decision-making, and the ability to navigate unpredictable conditions with confidence and grace. Like a successful marketer or leader, a skier must anticipate changes, react swiftly, and maintain composure under pressure.

Ultimately, alpine skiing is more than a sport for me — it’s a personal journey and a metaphor for embracing challenges, harnessing skill, and harmonizing with the environment around you.

SHARE THIS: Like a successful marketer or leader, a skier must anticipate changes, react swiftly, and maintain composure under pressure. ~Giovanni Cecchini #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

GIOVANNI CECCHINI: For me, bobsleigh most visually demonstrates teamwork. Although only a small team is involved, the precision and synchronization required from start to finish are remarkable. Every team member must execute their role flawlessly: the push at the start, the timing of getting into the sled, and the pilot’s navigation down the icy track. The sport’s success depends entirely on seamless collaboration, trust, and coordinated effort under high pressure.

Moreover, bobsleigh is inherently risky, with athletes racing down icy tracks at speeds exceeding 80 miles per hour, where even a small mistake can have serious consequences. This high level of risk amplifies the need for perfect coordination and absolute trust among team members. The intense teamwork in such extreme and high-stakes conditions serves as a powerful metaphor for how clear communication and well-synchronized actions drive success in any high-performing business team.

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

GIOVANNI CECCHINI: One Winter Olympics moment that stands out for me is the remarkable success of Alberto Tomba, Italy’s legendary alpine skier and one of the most charismatic and successful athletes in Winter Olympic history. Tomba won multiple gold medals across the late 1980s and early 1990s, notably taking gold in the giant slalom and slalom events at the 1988 Calgary Olympics and again at the 1992 Albertville Games. His achievements went far beyond the medals — Tomba redefined what it meant to be a champion, combining raw talent with an infectious passion and showmanship that captured the imagination of fans worldwide.

What made Tomba truly stand out was his relentless pursuit of excellence amidst immense pressure and expectations. He was renowned for his ability to perform when it mattered most, maintaining laser-focus while defying the odds. His successes were as much about mental strength and personal vision as they were about physical skill. Despite the spotlight, Tomba stayed committed to his own definition of victory — not just winning races, but doing so with flair and authenticity.

Relating this to my professional life in marketing, I find Tomba’s journey deeply instructive. Like alpine skiing, marketing is a high-speed, ever-evolving landscape that demands precision, adaptability, and mental resilience. Success in marketing isn’t merely achieving goals but also about crafting a personal brand and narrative that resonates authentically with your audience — much like Tomba’s charismatic presence on the slopes.

Furthermore, Tomba’s example shows the importance of defining your own race. In the competitive field of marketing, it’s easy to get caught up comparing oneself to others or following industry trends blindly. However, Tomba’s career reminds me that true success comes from a clear vision, determination, and the courage to innovate while staying authentic. Celebrating incremental wins and learning from every performance — win or lose — is essential to sustained growth and leadership.

In sum, Alberto Tomba’s Olympic legacy is more than a sports story: it’s a powerful emblem of running your own race, embracing your unique strengths, and relentlessly striving for excellence — principles that continue to inspire me both personally and professionally.

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

GIOVANNI CECCHINI: If I were in charge of the Winter Olympics, I would invite a mix of popular digital content creators and social media influencers, especially those passionate about outdoor adventure, sustainability, and lifestyle, alongside prominent figures from the gaming and technology sectors, such as e-sports champions and VR innovators. These influencers bring authentic storytelling and vast global followings on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, which would help connect the excitement and values of the Winter Olympics with younger audiences who might not traditionally follow winter sports.

By combining the engaging power of influencers with cutting-edge technology and gaming culture, the Olympics could offer fresh, immersive experiences that resonate with tech-savvy viewers. This approach would not only expand the Games’ reach but also inspire a new generation to appreciate winter sports through innovative digital engagement and interactive content.

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

GIOVANNI CECCHINI: Kirsty Coventry’s appointment as the first female, first Zimbabwean, and first African IOC President is a groundbreaking and inspiring development for the world's biggest multi-sport organization. Her diverse background as an Olympic champion, sports administrator, and politician brings a unique blend of experience, leadership, and perspective that is much needed in today’s global sports environment.

This milestone not only breaks a long-standing glass ceiling but also signals a meaningful move toward greater inclusivity and representation within the Olympic movement. It reflects the evolving spirit of the Games — uniting people worldwide while embracing diversity in leadership.

Looking ahead, I am optimistic that under Coventry’s leadership, the IOC will continue to promote equality, innovation, and sustainability within sports. Her story will inspire countless young athletes and leaders, especially from underrepresented regions, demonstrating that leadership knows no boundaries. This fresh perspective positions the Olympics to evolve in ways that are more global, inclusive, and forward-thinking than ever before.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held right here in Italy, practically at my doorstep, I’m thrilled to share that with FRESCA, we will be sponsoring multiple events and hosting receptions. FRESCA’s commitment to excellence and innovation perfectly complements the spirit of the Games, and I’m proud to be part of such a dynamic brand that elevates every occasion. Having known nearly every venue intimately, I am filled with excitement and pride to see the world’s attention turn to my beautiful country.

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, make a note on your calendar to swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day through February 22nd for leadership and marketing inspiration. A small interruption to the series will take place on February 20th to celebrate "National Leadership Day," then  the Olympics series returns on February 21st. A series recap will be featured on February 22nd. Enjoy the Olympics!

SHARE THIS: Success in marketing isn’t merely achieving goals but also about crafting a personal brand and narrative that resonates authentically with your audience. ~Giovanni Cecchini #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Olympics.

Read Giovanni's full article from LinkedIn:

www.linkedin.com/pulse/heart-italian-tradition-pasta-more-than-cultural-symbol-cecchini-9tlke/

Introducing the #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 on #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Since the Paris Summer Olympics were incredibly inspiring (both in Paris and also here on my Blog!), I'd like to announce the launch of a new series to celebrate the 2026 Winter Olympics, which I’ve named, my #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026. 

I’ve invited 14 thought leaders to answer the five questions below, and to kick off the series, I’ve provided my responses. I hope this series provides some new ways to think about leadership, personal branding, and the Olympics as you watch the exciting competitions!

SHARE THIS: The Olympic Games have the power to unite us because we can all find something inspirational or something we can relate to in each athlete’s story, whether it’s a story of success or of disappointment. –Tatjana Schoenmaker (South Africa’s most decorated Olympian) #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Mark your calendar to swing by my blog each day during the next two weeks for a new perspective about the Olympics – there will be a short series interruption on February 20 to celebrate “National Leadership Day" – but the series returns to my blog on February 21, and then a series recap will appear on the day of the closing ceremony on February 22.

QUESTION: What is your favorite WINTER Olympics sport, and why?

DEBBIE LASKEY: It’s a tie between two: CURLING because it's such an unusual sport to watch, and MOGULS because they make all athletes look graceful. In addition, for moguls, a person is completely defined by their athletic ability. Due to the ski pants, jacket, gloves, and head covering, the person's ethnicity and physical description are totally irrelevant. Athletes are judged solely by their ability, which is the entire point of the Olympics!

QUESTION: What WINTER Olympics sport most “visually” demonstrates teamwork, and why?

DEBBIE LASKEY: The visual aspect of the sport of bobsledding – with athletes running alongside a fast-moving sled, jumping into the sled in unison, and then moving in unison once inside the sled – is the perfect definition of teamwork in action. The athletes make the sport look effortless – which shows just how talented they are, because the sport definitely requires years of practice and hard work!

According to Britannica, “Bobsledding, the sport of sliding down an ice-covered natural or artificial incline on a four-runner sled, called a bobsled, bobsleigh, or bob, that carries either two or four persons. It developed in the 1880’s both in the lumbering towns of upstate New York, and at the ski resorts of the Swiss Alps. The first organized competition (among teams consisting of three men and two women) was held in 1898 on the Cresta Run at Saint Moritz, Switzerland. The sport earned its name after competitors adopted the technique of bobbing back and forth to increase the speed of the sled. In 1924, bobsledding became an internationally recognized sport due to its inclusion in the first Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix, France. The start of the race is crucial to a team’s success. Riders, wearing cleated shoes, run alongside the sled, pushing it to achieve maximum velocity. As it builds speed, the riders jump in, the driver in front, and the brakeman, pushing the back of the sled, entering last. The heavier four-person sleds attain speeds approaching 160 km (100 miles) per hour; the smaller, lighter two-person sleds are only slightly slower. A race consists of four descents by each team, the total time for the four heats determining the winner. Germany is the dominant country in the sport, with the United States, Switzerland, Canada, and Latvia as medal threats.”

QUESTION: According to Suzanne Robb, COO of Alloy, “Define what victory means to you, and keep that vision in mind. You’re the one who gets to determine when you’re making progress, what success means, and what your focus should be. When you get a win, take time to celebrate. In business as if life, you’ve got to run your own race.” With this quote in mind, which Winter Olympics event or result stands out in your memory, and why?

DEBBIE LASKEY: Figure skating is a much-anticipated popular sport in all Winter Olympics. In 1980, despite being favorites to win a gold medal, American athletes and figure skaters Tai Babilonia (age 19) and her skating partner Randy Gardner (age 21) had to pull out of the competition at the last moment due to an injury to Gardner. This incident taught me at an early age that sometimes, even the best, most talented among us fall or fail – but we should not give up on our dreams or working toward our goals. These athletes definitely “ran at their own race” because, while they left the competition, they still embodied hard work, dedication, and inspiration – and were heroes!

QUESTION: During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, entertainer and businessman Snoop Dogg used the hashtag #FollowTheDogg and shared his Olympic experiences on social media. My favorite story and related photos were when he and friend Martha Stewart dressed in equestrian clothing and attended the dressage competition. According to reports, Snoop’s involvement was intended to attract a new audience to the Olympics. If you were in charge of the Winter Olympics, who would you invite to attract a new audience, and why?

DEBBIE LASKEY: I would invite Taylor Swift. In fact, I would offer the opportunity for her to get married at the end of the Olympics somewhere in Italy. Since her appeal is international, if she appeared at various Olympic events, the interest would grow, and the television ratings would increase (think, advertising dollars!). She could also interview athletes and appear in lots of selfies with athletes and fans. She could even design a “Taylor Swift Olympics” bracelet – and donate sales to Team USA or the Paralympics.

QUESTION: The 2026 Winter Olympics will be the first Olympic Games under the leadership of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry. She is a former Zimbabwean politician, sports administrator, and former Olympic swimmer and world record holder. She is also the first woman, first Zimbabwean, and the first African to serve as IOC President. According to Reuters, “Kirsty Coventry smashed through the IOC’s glass ceiling in March 2025 to become the organization’s first female President in its 130-year history.” What are your thoughts about this development for the world’s biggest multi-sport organization – and its future?

DEBBIE LASKEY: This is an incredible step forward for women on the world stage – especially with all the backward steps happening for women in the United States and also around the world. Coventry was an interesting choice for IOC President due to her gender when so many sports are male-dominated. I wonder if she will be outspoken about any gender bias or gender discrimination that she faces in her new role. I also wonder what issues she will choose to emphasize during her 8-year term.

I hope Coventry will address the following three key issues in her early days as IOC President:

FINANCIAL COMPENSATION

Did you know that medals can equate to a financial reward other than advertising endorsements? According to Business Insider, “US athletes receive $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for a silver medal, and $15,000 for a bronze medal. Hong Kong offers the highest reward with gold medalists earning up to $768,000.” 

The concept of financial compensation for winning medals at the Olympics seems to be a conflict, so I hope that Coventry addresses this issue.

EQUALITY AMONG ATHLETES

At the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, 206 countries participated, and of those countries, 11,000 athletes participated. The United States, France, and Australia had the largest country representations – each between 450-600. And the least represented countries were Belize, Liechtenstein, Nauru, and Somalia – each sent only one athlete to compete. Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as “Individual Neutral Athletes” because the IOC voted to suspend both countries from competition due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

The most important athlete news was that, for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, an equal number of men and women athletes competed at the Olympics. I hope that Coventry keeps this issue of athlete gender equality on her radar during future Olympics.

SUSTAINABILITY THEME

Lastly, during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, there was a significant focus on creating a “green” Olympics. The city closed more than 100 streets to motor vehicles, tripled parking fees for SUV’s, removed 50,000 parking spots, and built more than 800 miles of bike lanes since 2014. According to city officials, the changes contributed to a 40 percent decline in air pollution. Despite years of tests and conflicting reports about too much pollution, some events even took place in the Seine River. And the purple track at the Stade de France had a secret ingredient: shells. In addition, the more than 14,000 mattresses made from recycled plastic used in the Olympic Village were given to the French army. The tennis balls used at Roland-Garros Stadium were donated to French sports clubs, as well as much of the other sports equipment from javelins to shot puts. Two swimming pools, the climbing wall, and the skateboarding parks were dug out and moved – most of them to the deprived Seine-Saint-Denis suburb northeast of Paris. And officials planned to retrofit athlete apartments from the Olympics Athletes' Village into housing for local residents. I hope that Coventry continues this sustainability trend.

A final reminder, as you watch the competitions, swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog each day for leadership and marketing inspiration – and I hope you enjoy the Opening Ceremony!

SHARE THIS: 12 countries have participated in every Winter Olympics since 1924: Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US. #FunFact #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Can you name the oldest sport at the Winter Olympics? It's figure skating. #FunFact #OlympicsLeadershipSeries2026 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Olympics, The Sporting News, and SkiTutor.

Here’s a list of all the SPORTS for which medals will be awarded:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Winter_Olympics

Read about the history of the Winter Games:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Olympic_Games 

Check out the official 2026 Winter Olympics website:

https://milanocortina2026.olympics.com/en 

Read about the career of Kirsty Coventry:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsty_Coventry 

Learn more about CURLING:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/26/sport/curling-explainer-winter-olympics-beijing-2022-spt-intl/index.html 

Learn more about MOGULS, check out these links:

https://www.skinewgen.com/what-are-moguls/ 

and

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/how-to-ski-moguls.html 

Bobsled 101: Glossary:

https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/bobsled-101-glossary

Fun Stories and Novelty Bets Leading Up to the Big Game

Many around the world are counting the hours until kickoff for Super Bowl LX on Sunday. The two teams also met at the 2014 Super Bowl when the Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. However, this time, the Seattle Seahawks are favored to win by the Las Vegas odds-makers and a menagerie of animals.

In case you've missed some of the excitement leading up to the big game, let's take a look at all the fun!

ANIMAL PREDICTIONS

While the annual wager between zoos in the two teams' hometown cities is not happening this year, a number of zoos are hosting animal prediction events. At San Antonio Zoo (Texas), Guacamole the rescued sea turtle predicted a Seahawks victory by swimming toward a themed lettuce snack. At Gulf Breeze Zoo (Florida), Kenya the giraffe chose the Seattle Seahawks at the "Third Annual Kenya Day" on February 2nd. Kenya has established a reputation for the annual, fun predictions at the Gulf Breeze Zoo, often acting as a Gulf Coast alternative to Punxsutawney Phil. At the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo (New Jersey), Lady Edwina of Essex, a groundhog, predicted six more weeks of winter after seeing her shadow and also forecasted that the Seattle Seahawks would win the upcoming Super Bowl. At Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines, Iowa), Zarina the African lion predicted the Seahawks; at the Brookfied Zoo (Chicago), Charlotte the tarantula predicted the Seahawks; and at the Nashville Zoo (Tennessee), Wilbur the binturong (also known as a bearcat) selected the Seahawks by approaching a miniature Seahawks helmet covering a piece of banana. And at Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma, Washington), Forrest, a Eurasian eagle owl, has been promoted to "Superb Owl" ahead of the Super Bowl.

At El Paso Zoo (Texas), Hodari the lion, will charge toward one of two helmet-shaped piñatas on February 7th; and at the Capron Park Zoo (Attttleboro, Massachusetts), Lacey the leopard will make her fourth annual Super Bowl prediction also on February 7th. According to Capron Park Zoo, "Visitors wearing Patriot gear will receive a 20 percent discount on admission. Trust the paws. Trust the process." 

ART MUSEUM NEWS

While the annual "Museum Bowl," where museums in the two teams' hometown cities make wagers to share a famous piece of art or place the winning jersey on a famous sculpture, will not happen this year, there is some excitement at San Francisco's Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA). From January 29th through February 8th, visitors to SFMoMA will be able to enjoy a photo opportunity with the official Super Bowl LX Roman Numerals, on view for free in SFMOMA’s Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Atrium. Museum admission is not required for photos.

MAYOR WAGERS

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson told KIRO Newsradio that she and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu discussed possible wagers while attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., "There’s been some talk of Dungeness crab and lobster. Also, some talk about wearing each other’s jerseys while riding public transit. So, something is going to happen, but we haven't decided exactly what yet."

LAW ENFORCEMENT WAGERS

The Rochester Police Chief Michael Assad placed a bet with the Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. The losing chief must wear the winning team's gear and publicly announce on social media that the opponent is the best team in football. Chief Assad has authorized Rochester officers to wear Patriots hats while on duty leading up to the game.

BISHOP'S BET

Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle and Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston have engaged in the "Super Bowl Bishop's Bet." This friendly wager involves a donation from the losing archbishop's diocese to the winner's chosen charity. This annual tradition highlights community, charity, and friendly competition.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS

Seattle Children's Hospital has challenged Boston Children's Hospital to a friendly wager. Both institutions are engaging in social media banter with Seattle referencing a focus on the future and Boston highlighting their own team pride.

RESTAURANT WAGERS

Seattle's Duke's Seafood (Dungeness crab) and Cambridge/Uncasville's Summer Shack (clambake) have a cross-country wager, with the loser shipping signature seafood to the winner.

Here are some fun bets that folks can make:

* Which Bay Area landmark will be shown first? (Golden Gate Bridge is favored over Alcatraz Island)

* Will the coin toss be heads or tails?

* Which team will score first?

* Who will have the most passing yards?

* Who will have the most rushing yards?

* Who will have the most receiving yards?

* What color will the liquid poured on the winning head coach be?

* Will the combined total points for the game be over or under 46.5?

* Will an unauthoized person (streaker) enter the field of play?

* Which song will be sung first by the crowd? ("Sweet Caroline" is even with "Country Roads")

* Who will be the winning team of the annual Puppy Bowl?

Only three days to go until kick-off, and hopefully, memorable ads!

Image Credit: National Football League (NFL).