Prompt: Case 6.1: The Unites States Olympic Committee: Persuading Businesses to Participate in the Olympic Movement

Please respond in writing to the issues presented in this case by developing two documents: a communication strategy memo and a professional business letter. In preparing these documents, you may assume one of two roles: you may identify yourself as an external marketing consultant who has been asked to provide advice to the USOC, or you may assume the role of Ms. Lynne Cribari, Manager of Corporate Participation for the USOC. Either way, you must prepare a strategy memo addressed to Dr. Harvey Schiller, Executive Director of the USOC, that identifies a corporate sponsorship prospect and suggests ways in which the USOC might convince that firm to participate in the Olympic movement, either with sponsorship in cash or sponsorship in-kind (goods and/or services). Your memo should explain something about the company you have chosen as a prospect, what industry they compete in, their size, as well as their business model. Your discussion of the company should identify the principle(s) of persuasion which you think will be most effective in convincing the company's leadership to become an Olympic sponsor, in addition to the reasons why such an arrangement would be in their best interest. You must also write a professional business letter for Dr. Schiller's signature. That document should be addressed to an officer of the corporation you have selected and must offer to open a dialogue on the advantages of participation in the Olympic movement. If you have questions about either of these documents, please consult your instructor.