Olympic Fever – Are we capitalizing on our Success?

Often on this blog I praise the innovation of Jamaican businesses and their ability to recognize a niche and fill it with a product that consumers will buy. However, as I enjoy watching the Olympic success of our athletes in the London games, I realize that there is still room for improvement.

The popularity of Jamaican athletes has been used to sell various products from water to food items but what about other areas?
I just think that there are many more ways to capitalize on the popularity that we now enjoy on the worldwide scene.

I recently travelled to Miami and went to a popular store where I identified myself as a Jamaican. The sales assistant at the store was immediately captivated and wanted to know how we had gotten so talented and when I teasingly replied that it was the air, there was a serious discussion of the truth of that assertion.
Of course, I am not suggesting that we bottle the air in Jamaica and sell it however, there are untouched areas that would be further highlighted by our recent endeavours in London.

Would the average Jamaican consumers support this move?
I think so because although many Jamaicans suffer under various financial burdens they are fiercely loyal and throughout the island there was a festive atmosphere as everyone celebrated the athlete’s prowess at the Olympic games.
What about not just selling t-shirts and putting our athletes images on everything but selling the concept of Jamaica ?

Consumers both abroad and home will buy products but timing is everything. We should not make the dust settle on this opportunity to allow consumers to get items that are both unique and celebrate our culture. I think the products should be geared not only to attracting fans of Jamaican culture overseas but also Jamaicans at home who want to celebrate their achievements.

I think that by doing this we will capitalize on this chance to revitalize the economy.

What’s your take on this? Would you buy products that celebrate our athlete’s performance? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley
Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: Jamaica