top of page

Endorsements

“No one knows the Olympic brand better than Michael Payne. Olympic Turnaround provides a road map to success in 2012.”
Sebastian Coe, Chairman, London 2012

"No one is better qualified than Michael Payne to reveal the intricate details behind the Olympic renaissance.  Olympic Turnaround is more than a compelling story of deal brokering at the highest levels; it's a lesson in creative problem solving and brand building that will appeal to sports fans and business leaders in equal measure."
Peter Ueberroth, former commissioner of Major League Baseball, President of the United States Olympic Committee, and President and CEO of the Los Angeles Games, 1984

"Olympic Turnaround is pure Olympic Gold. Michael Payne's Olympic Turnaround gives a thrilling insight into the strategic, leadership, branding and marketing triumphs of the Olympic Movement over the last 25 years."
Sir Steve Redgrave, Olympian
 
“Just 25 years ago, one of the world’s greatest institutions was on the brink of extinction. That it survived at all is due to the vision and hard work of a few individuals. Olympic Turnaround recounts their story and also provides an inside view of the creation of the sports marketing industry. Packed with previously untold stories and case studies, it is a unique business story, but one with universal applications. No one is better positioned to tell this story than Michael Payne.”
Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive WPP

"If Juan Antonio Samaranch was 'M', Michael Payne was 'Q' in the cloak and dagger world behind the biggest sports event in the world - the Olympics. With more twists and turns than a spy novel, Payne's masterly telling of the games behind the Games is a page turner for anyone who has thrilled to Olympic competition."
David Hill, Chairman, Fox

“If ever there was someone in a position to tell the story of the IOC in the late 20th century and its phenomenal recovery for the new millennium, it would be Michael Payne.  There's a reason he's been called the world's foremost sports marketer and this book gives full credence to that position.  An intriguing read that makes clear how hard it is to market global sport properties.”
Rick Burton, Commissioner, National Basketball League

"Michael Payne provides a fascinating inside story on rebuilding what has become one of the most powerful brands in the world; a brand we all feel ownership of, care for and enjoy; a brand whose values companies pay literally billions to be associated with." 
Sean Meehan, Professor of Marketing and Change Management, IMD

“From the crippling tit-for-tat boycotts of Moscow and Los Angeles, to the egos that nearly wrecked Atlanta and corrupted Salt Lake City, to the tortuous triumphs of Sydney and Athens, with the exciting prospect of the new China in Beijing 2008 ahead, Olympic Turnaround is a fascinating read. This is the inside story of the spectacular road back from the brink.” 
John Bertrand, America’s Cup winner 

“As CEO of Swatch and Swiss Timing, I personally lived through the fantastic development of the Olympic Movement. I am happy that Michael Payne, who was an important part of this turnaround, has taken the time to write this exciting story.”
Nicolas G Hayek, Swatch

“A truly incredible book. Anyone with an interest in the Olympics or the business of sport will find it a fascinating and compelling read.”
Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president, International Olympic Committee

“Payne's book is the first ever, focused not on the glory and competition, but on the backstage business miracle which saved the Olympic Movement. This is the essence of wisdom condensed from 20 years’ Olympic experience, I suggest that everybody should read this book.”
Ma Guo Li, President CCTV Sports, president Beijing Olympic Broadcasting.

“The glory of the Olympic movement pushed the sports business forward, and the successfully exploited business potential also provided the Olympic Movement with solid foundations. Payne’s Olympic Turnaround describes this uniquely interactive process. I believe that the Chinese edition of this book will be a valuable guide for expanding Chinese sports marketing.”
He Zhen Liang, former IOC first vice president, Beijing 2008 Olympic board member.

“A remarkable story of the business of sport from the man who brought the discipline of  brand management to sports marketing. Compulsory reading for anyone in the sports business.”
Hein Verbruggen, Chairman IOC Co-Ordination Commission, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
.

“Michael Payne is the unparalleled authority on the history of the modern Olympic Games and Olympic Turnaround is the ultimate comeback story. It’s a real life page turner of one man’s Herculean efforts to safe the Olympics. It’s a manual for anyone interested in the business of sports and the sport of business.” 
Michael Ovitz, Talent Agent

“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

bottom of page