An easy, enjoyable, and often exciting read, it will fascinate anyone interested in the business of communication and advertising and of course anyone who has ever been intrigued by the Olympic Games themselves”.
D. W. Hill, University of North Texas, Choice Publication

“Payne created the first ever global marketing strategy for the Olympics, which has turned out to be one of the world’s most successful marketing initiatives ever seen”.
Stefan Stern, Business Voice Magazine & Financial Times

"Chock-full of backstage Olympic lore, this is the book to read if you’d like a business angle on the decisions of the International Olympic Committee. The source is not entirely objective - author Michael Payne was the Olympics’ first marketing director and held high-level posts for twenty years - but it’s a compelling read nonetheless, spiced up with a fine selection of black and white photos."
Ed Hula, Harvard University

"Now the IOC and their president, Jacques Rogge, are reprimanding cities and even political leaders for being too enthusiastic in their bidding for 2012. "You may be so worried about the petty details that you lose sight of the big picture," Payne said. "I think there is very real risk of suffocating the bidding process and disenchanting the cities. You had a period when you were pleading with heads of state to be supportive and understanding of the Olympic ideal. And now when they are enthusiastic you create a situation when you want to keep them away."
Mihir Bose, Daily Telegraph (UK)

“Authoritative and compelling.”
David Owen, Financial Times

“Fiscally fascinating.”
Alan Hubbard, Independent on Sunday

“This is the inside story from an insider. Michael Payne captures the politics, intrigue and tension of sports business at the very highest level and delivers in a style enriched by personal observations and anecdotes which take the reader right into the boardroom.”
Kevin Roberts, Editorial Director, Sport Business

‘This narrative is exceptionally well written, detailed yet clear, well referenced but not cluttered, firsthand but not self-serving. An easy, enjoyable, and often exciting read, it will fascinate anyone interested in the business of communication and advertising and of course anyone who has ever been intrigued by the Olympic Games themselves.’
CHOICE  (US) -  Publishing Authority for US Libraries and Academic Institutions.

It is an enormous opportunity. British business: wake up now. London 2012 is coming soon, much sooner than you think. Get involved.
CBI - Business Voice Magazine - Thinkers 50  (UK)