Storytelling To Branding: What Can We Learn On Executive Branding From The Opening Ceremony Of Paris Olympics 2024 ?

Did you watch the greatest show on earth ?

What is the greatest show on earth ?

The flamboyant, spectacular and creative opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024.

Media around the world reported in different ways. One media out reported saying "France walked the talk after promising a never-seen-before Olympics opening ceremony.

It was a dream becoming a reality for everyone involved in it; from the hosts to the athletes participating. An effort of 6 months of rehearsals, coming into fruition in that fashion, I don’t think there is anything more that you can ask for. The opening ceremony had a boost in branding for France as a nation. It was a massive impetus for France’s country brand.

Personal branding for executives is an underrated topic. Many executives do not realize the value of executive branding. As a CEO or as an executive of the C-Suite, you require branding for yourself. Storytelling matters to you as an executive leader. People want to know your career story. The ups and downs in your journey; because your story contains lessons of wider scope for anyone aspiring to become someone like you in the future.

The executive branding strategies that you adopt, evolve with the digital age. The latest technologies and adapting to the trends give a different dimension to your personal brand. Two of the most essential trends in the story telling aspect of your personal brand are personalisation & authenticity and thought leadership and social responsibility.

Personalisation and authenticity come into play because audiences nowadays are quite discerning and therefore, your brand narratives will be shaped more with the stories of your journey, you values and vision. These will enable you to connect and engage with your audience in a a greater and effective manner.

Thought leadership and social responsibility are all about your involvement in social and global conversations. Your opinion matters to the world. It’s important that you have your idea about the worldview and being in tough with the current affairs, geopolitics, the volatility of the economic environment, etc.; since all these aspects make an impact on your business.

Expanding your reach connecting with the people that matter; people you can learn from, people who have innovative ideas, youngsters who are creative, this will help you gain diverse perpsectives from your audience.

What are the lessons we can learn in executive branding from the opening ceremony of Paris Olympics 2024 ?

1. Bold Branding: The boldness in branding was clearly showcased with the resemblance of “Last Supper”. That’s the kind of branding that unleashes the power of branding that resonates with cultural narratives and diversity. As an executive you possess cultural narratives and diversity in your story which can be projected to the audience through your personal brand and this would enable a diverse set of people connect with you ultimately resulting in the expansion of your professional network. The ceremony’s extravagant and unconventional elements were the great example for it.
2. Innovativeness: The storytelling used in the opening ceremony had plenty of innovation. From imagery to the performances to the teams’ parade everything was at an unmatched level of innovation. As an executive brand this is where you could showcase why you stand out among other executives.
3. Incorporation of symbols and heritage: You hail from a certain culture. Different cultures create different narratives and the symbols associated with these cultures add more brand value. It enables to reinforce your brand value as an executive. The ways and means you have been used to when working according to your culture and heritage would persuade another to adapt to the changing global trends in leadership, personal branding, etc. The emotional connection would create brand identity and value for you.

Therefore, bold branding, innovativeness and incorporation of symbol and heritage are some of the lessons we can learn from the spectacular opening ceremony of the Olympics and incorporating the same aspects into your executive brand will help you to stand out and elevate yourself.

The future of executive branding is promising and it’s how you capitalise on the opportunity.

For a one-of-a-kind career, you need to be one-of-a-kind.

Wish You Success !

Sasanka Dias