On the date the Olympic Day is worldly celebrated, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organizing Committee started the final phase of the process that will chose the company responsible to create the first edition of the South American Olympic Games brand. This Wednesday 23rd, representatives for the eight finalist companies participated in a technical briefing with the guidance on content and ways of presenting the creative proposals. The name of the winner will be published in September. After going through the three phases and leaving behind 130 competitors, the companies Brainbox Design (PR), Dupla Design (RJ), Future Brand (SP), Gad Design (SP), Soter Design (RJ), Studio Lúmen (PR), Tátil Design (RJ) and Vinte Zero Um (RJ) will have by August 4th to present their proposals for a logo. To inspire the finalists, the Rio 2016 Committee got into the Olympic Day atmosphere gathering in the technical briefing three speakers with a great connection to the Games. Beijing 2008 bronze medalist, sailor Isabel Swan talked about her experience as an Olympic athlete. Brad Copeland, graphic designer and International Olympic Committee consultant for the Games visual identity, explained the creative steps of the Olympic brand. On the other hand, Theodora Mantzaris presented the case Athens 2004 Games Brand Program, of which she had been Design Director. After the talks, Beth Lula, Rio 2016 Committee brand manager, presented the Rio 2016 Games concept and the briefing with technical specifications of the material that has to be presented by the companies. “It was a difficult job to appoint the eight finalists, since the level of the companies registered was excellent. We will have a brand of much success, which will make history in the Olympic Movement and in the Brazilian design. During the technical briefing, we pointed out that the brand has to reflect the local culture, but at the same time having global range; has to be aligned to the Olympic values, and avoid stereotypes and be inspiring for different audiences. Besides, it has to reflect the concepts of passion and transformation of the Rio 2016 project”, explained Beth Lula Chosen to mark the beginning of the final phase of the selective process, the Olympic Day was celebrated for the first time in 1948. The date of June 23rd goes back to the foundation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by Baron Pierre de Cubertin, in 1894. In Brazil, the date coincides with the National Sports Day, and the effort the athletes that already dream with 2016 was an example mentioned by the Rio 2016 CEO, Leonardo Gryner, at the closing of the technical briefing. “The athletes that want to compete in 2016 are already training today, six years before. And they will face all kinds of difficulties to be at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. As the event organizers, we cannot offer anything less than this effort and compromising. Let these athletes serve as inspiration in the elaboration process of the brand for, on the day of the announcement of the final result, the chosen company to feel as if receiving a gold medal”, said Gryner. THE SELECTING PROCESS The process for selecting the responsible company for creating the Rio 2016 brand started in April, when 139 companies registered to participate in the initial briefing. Eighty-six out of those presented the requested technical habilitation and qualifying documentation on the second phase. After the analysis from the Rio 2016 Committee team, 24 were selected for the individual interviews, which defined the eight finalist companies. The finalist companies will receive a compensation of R$ 10 thousand. Concept, Originality, Creativity and Applicability of the brand will be evaluated. All finalist companies that hand in its creative proposal will receive a participating certificate as an honor for the contribution to the selective process. The Judging Commission will be multi-disciplinary and made up of 15 members recognized on national and international levels, as previewed in the tender. The members will be selected by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee for their experience in creation and approval of brand programs or for their distinction in the International Olympic Movement. The winning company will receive R$ 40 thousand for the brand creation and will sign a six month contract with the Rio 2016 Committee, with the possibility of renewal, for design services. Besides international recognition, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games brand will have exposition for the next six years and will be eternized in the future Rio 2016 Games images, broadcasted to billions of spectators around the world. UPCOMING PHASES 8/04 – Creative Proposals to be handed in – Phase 5 8/06 and 8/07 – Judging Commission meeting and winner choice Rio 2016 brand to be sent for IOC final approval