Sports Marketing Bliss

Submitted by Mitch Seigel on Tues, 03/20/2012

For many sports fanatics, we are right in the middle of the greatest time in the year for sports. The NBA and NHL are driving toward the playoffs, the NCAA is in full March madness mania, MLB is just a few spring training games away from opening day at ballparks across America, and everyone’s wondering where the next stop will be for Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame arm....

The same should be said for companies who use or are considering the use of sports as a marketing tool. In addition to the usual suspects of outlets for sports in radio, television, in-stadium and sports star public appearances, online and mobile marketing are in the game with a vengeance. And it’s only going to get deeper as time moves along.

What is it that attracts so many of the top brands to sports? My humble opinion says its brand on brand. What’s more powerful than Blake Griffin dunking a basketball? How about Blake Griffin dunking a basketball over a Kia! Better yet, it’s Blake Griffin, the NBA star, dunking a basketball over a Kia, the hottest automotive manufacturer in the United States. When you combine brand on brand on brand it’s always a winning combination. Who’s helping who? It’s really hard to say.

From the professional ranks right down to your local Little League or AYSO teams, companies are shelling out big bucks to be tied to America’s favorite pastime, SPORTS! For years we admonished teams for putting so much out there. We’ve now grown accustomed to it, accept it and relish it. Are you in the game? It’s never too late to pick up the ball and run with it.

What are your challenges when it comes to sports marketing? I look forward to hearing your comments. Until next time …