Sandra O’Loughlin

AT&T, a presenting sponsor of Star-Spangled 200, which commemorates the 200th anniversary of Maryland’s role in the War of 1812, used last month’s Sailabration kick-off to showcase its smartphones and tablets and raise awareness of It Can Wait, a national campaign to educate drivers about the dangers of texting and driving.

Toyota this summer has launched an expanded version of last year’s Prius v Creation Station campaign to include a wider selection of its family-targeted vehicles such as the 2013 Avalon, the Highlander, Landcruiser, Yaris and more. The tour launched July 4 at Fair Saint Louis and through December will travel to lifestyle destinations that align with current and prospective Toyota drivers such as Taste of Dallas, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Brooklyn’s Dumbo Arts Festival and Artscape in Baltimore.

Anyone who has ever attended a golf tournament has seen the pristine white hospitality tents filled with food, fancy drinks and guests in khaki pants and pink polo shirts. The problem is, these exclusive enclaves typically are for VIPs only. This year, the Sports Illustrated Golf Group, which includes Golf Magazine, SI Golf+ and Golf.com, has replaced the cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with a more inclusive experience. The group, through a custom publishing arrangement with the U.S. Golf Association, still maintains a private tent at the U.S. Open.

Olympic fever is sweeping the country and the world as the run up to London heats up. New York City’s Times Square earlier this year became a mini Olympic village teeming with athletes, fans, sports demonstrations, autograph sessions, giveaways and sponsor activations as part of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Road to London celebration.

Schlage, the lock brand, on June 27 ended a five-day digital and physical scavenger hunt that involved locking a man in a tiny house in downtown Seattle and having people solve clues to find the key to unlock him. The effort, called “Key to Strong Challenge,” was part of an integrated campaign that included broadcast, digital and social as well as experiential elements.