With the rise of digital technologies and changing consumer preferences, businesses must explore diverse promotional channels to connect with their target audience. One such way to do that involves leveraging the brand power of college sports teams.
College sports marketing is an oft-overlooked tactic that can generate significant interest and engagement among a niche audience of fans, both locally and nationally, through sponsorship and campaigns centered around association with local teams.
Implementing college sports marketing can enhance brand appeal and increase brand awareness among consumers passionate about supporting their local college sports teams. This approach fosters loyalty and engagement among potential customers at the local level and beyond.
Why Affiliate Your Brand with College Sports Teams
Associating your company and brand with college sports marketing can do wonders for your brand’s public perception and ROI. While college sports is somewhat of a niche interest on its face, it captures a broad range of demographics to which you can market your brand.
Positive Brand Association with College Sports Team Sponsorship
Partnering with your local college sports team can help you gain the attention and trust of their fan base through repeated brand exposure to a target demographic that will need your goods or services.
Ways to partner with your local college sports teams include:
- Sponsoring the sports teams
- Offering product or service discounts to the team's fans before and during events
- Creating custom marketing campaigns centered around the team’s season
When your brand frequently appears in concert with collegiate-level teams, it fosters a subtle form of recognition and positive brand perception that will increase over time.
Leverage Social Media for Brand Collaboration
Social media collaboration with local college sports teams and players can be an effective way to support a broader sponsorship campaign.
Include mentions of your team sponsorship on social, and work with the team’s brand management to collaborate on posts that will show their audience of fans the association between your brand and the team.
Use Local Media Outlets During Games
Local radio and television stations frequently broadcast during games, in addition to offering station sponsorship opportunities during sports segments in their newscasts.
You can advertise your brand and its offerings on these platforms, or create custom, native content to support your sports marketing campaign. Partnering with a local media marketing expert helps you make the most of your sports marketing strategy.
Have a Company Tent or Stand at Tailgates and Other Events
Branded tailgate parties at home games or meets allows you to humanize your brand to the team’s most dedicated fans. However, that doesn’t just include local college students without much buying potential—the college sports demographic also includes parents, alumni, faculty, and other high-income groups.
Since older sports fans and local alumni tend to have more purchasing power, making regular physical appearances during game days will help further increase your brand recognition, which will ultimately pay off when you become the first place they call when they’re ready to purchase.
Sports Marketing Campaigns with Mid-West Family South Bend
Mid-West Family South Bend is an official partner with Notre Dame Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Notre Dame Hockey.
Our experienced marketing team can help you create a powerful and practical college sports marketing campaign that resonates with your target audience and drives sales growth. Contact us today to learn how we can help you establish a winning college sports marketing strategy that elevates your brand and reaches your local audience effectively.
