Services Delivered
WordPress 5.0 CMS Development with WooCommerce eCommerce
Front-End CSS & UI matched to SOCOG and Westpac branding
Mobile-Optimised eCommerce Experience
UX aligned with previously developed AOC platforms
Subdomain Strategy for program-specific deployment
The Brief & Engagement
COG Marketing partnered with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) ℅ Sold Out to deliver a seamless eCommerce experience for the Olympics Live Presented by Westpac program, supporting Australian fans and partners during the unprecedented COVID-19 postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Client
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation responsible for selecting, funding, and sending Australian teams to the Olympic Games.
Beyond elite sport, the AOC leverages sport as a platform for positive social impact, partnering with other sporting bodies and the Federal Government to contribute to national health, wellbeing, and economic development.
The Brief
COG Marketing was engaged to develop the eCommerce website for the Olympics Live Presented by Westpac program, a national initiative offering Australians the chance to experience the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games live via free events, interactive fan experiences, and at-home celebrations.
The brief required a robust online platform to:
- Sell official Olympic merchandise to the public and registered program partners
- Support smooth logistics and delivery via third-party suppliers
- Maintain alignment with AOC, Westpac, and SOCOG branding and digital standards
- Deliver a seamless, mobile-optimised shopping experience
The Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Games to 2021, creating significant uncertainty. Public events were scaled back due to health restrictions, and all marketing and creative assets were placed on hold.
Despite these challenges, the Olympics Live program remained critical, enabling fans across Australia to engage with the Games virtually or in socially safe, public settings. The eCommerce platform needed to operate under unpredictable timelines and volumes, support multiple stakeholders, and ensure merchandise delivery during a global logistics disruption.
Our Approach
COG Marketing delivered a flexible, resilient, and fully branded eCommerce solution that allowed Australians to participate in the Olympics Live program with ease:
- Platform Development: Built a WordPress 5.0 CMS site with WooCommerce for secure, scalable merchandise sales.
- Brand Alignment: Front-end CSS, UX, and design adhered to SOCOG and Westpac standards, creating a cohesive experience across all digital touchpoints.
- Mobile-First Experience: Optimised UX and eCommerce functionality for mobile devices, allowing fans to shop, engage, and celebrate anywhere.
- Operational Integration: Worked closely with merchandise suppliers and logistics partners to ensure orders were accurately processed and delivered to fans nationwide.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Supported both AOC internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring the program met national objectives despite pandemic constraints.
This approach balanced robust technical delivery, brand integrity, and operational practicality, enabling a seamless consumer experience during a uniquely challenging global event.
The Results
- Seamless Merchandise eCommerce: Fans and registered partners purchased official Olympic merchandise with confidence, delivered nationwide.
- Program Success Amid Crisis: Despite pandemic disruptions, the Olympics Live program achieved high engagement and operational success.
- Stakeholder Praise: “COG Marketing supported not only our organisation but the broader Olympics LIVE program presented by Westpac stakeholders. With the debacle that was a Pandemic Olympics, the program and campaign was considered a success.” – Ryan Bridges, Sold Out Events Management
COG Marketing’s delivery ensured Australians could celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games safely, with an accessible, reliable, and brand-aligned eCommerce platform, reinforcing the AOC’s mission of connecting sport and community.