What makes March Madness more than just a basketball tournament? It’s a massive marketing opportunity. Millions of eyes are on the games, creating the perfect moment for businesses to connect with customers in a big way.
Why March Madness Matters
For fans, it’s about the game. For marketers, it’s a chance to get in front of millions. The NCAA pulled in nearly $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024, proving just how big this event is for businesses looking to make an impact.
March Madness only happens once a year…don’t miss the shot to connect with your customers in a big way!
Examples of Successful March Madness Marketing Campaigns
These brands made the most of March Madness. Here’s how they scored big.
Buffalo Wild Wings
The popular sports bar chain launched its “B-Dubs Bracket Challenge,” inviting customers to predict tournament outcomes for a chance to win prizes. This marketing campaign not only drove foot traffic to Buffalo Wild Wings locations, but also increased brand engagement online.
It’s tourney time! Fill out a bracket in the @CapitalOne Bracket Challenge & get $5 off your B-Dubs order of $25! https://t.co/vXS618C0Z5 pic.twitter.com/ff4ZHDWZrJ
— Buffalo Wild Wings (@BWWings) March 14, 2017
Capital One
Capital One’s NCAA Bracket Challenge pulls fans in with cash prizes and exclusive experiences, making them part of the excitement. They’ve found the sweet spot: keeping the hype alive while making sure their brand stays in the conversation.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar launched the “Debate the Goatness” campaign during NCAA March Madness. The campaign encouraged basketball fans to debate who they believed was the greatest of all time (GOAT) player in college basketball history while enjoying a Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. Fans were encouraged to share their opinions on social media using the hashtag #DebateTheGOATness, sparking lively discussions and engaging with the tournament’s excitement.
This social media campaign integrated Coca-Cola Zero Sugar into the March Madness conversation while using the passion of basketball fans to drive brand engagement and awareness.
Ideas for Capitalizing on March Madness
Want to turn all of this hype into real business wins? The trick is finding the right play for your audience (while making it fun and rewarding). Here are some easy ways to get in the game.
- Themed Promotions: Create March Madness-themed promotions or discounts tied to game outcomes, halftime scores, or buzzer-beaters to incentivize customer participation.
- Watch Parties: Bring fans together by hosting a viewing party at your business or teaming up with a local spot. Want to go online? Virtual watch parties work too.
- Bracket Contests: Launch a bracket challenge for customers, employees, or social media followers, offering prizes for accurate predictions or creative entries.
- Social Media: Keep the energy going with social content like behind-the-scenes content, live updates, and polls. Get people talking and make your brand part of the excitement! Use hashtags like #GameDay, #MarchMadness, #FinalFour.
- Email Marketing: Keep customers subscribed to your emails in the loop and excited about what’s next! Send out tournament-themed emails with exclusive offers, event invites, or fun content.
- Collaborate with Influencers: Team up with sports influencers or local personalities to spread the word. Their audience becomes your audience, helping you reach more fans.
All in all, March Madness is a great chance for businesses to get creative and reach more customers. The real trick is learning from what works and making a plan that fits your audience. Join the excitement this March, and your brand might just score big!
Win the Marketing Game with MARION
Want to make the most of March Madness for your business? MARION helps brands create fun and smart marketing that grabs attention and reaches your marketing goals and objectives. From ads to social media to a full game plan, we make sure your brand stays in the spotlight.
Contact us today to learn more about our marketing services in Texas.
