Your Ultimate 2025 Super Bowl Ads Strategy From Kickoff to Touchdown

The 2025 Super Bowl is just around the corner, with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs emerging as fan favorites for this season’s championship showdown. But while the NFL playoffs heat up, the real competition for advertisers happens off the field—fighting for coveted Super Bowl commercials and top social media ad placements.

With over two-thirds of Americans tuning in as NFL fans, the Super Bowl’s cultural impact is undeniable. From Taylor Swift’s appearances at Chiefs games to Jason Kelce’s post-retirement ESPN broadcasts, and Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX in the Caesars Superdome, the event is as much a pop culture phenomenon as it is a sports event.

For brands, this presents an extraordinary opportunity to connect with sports audiences and more. However, with intense competition in TV and social media ad spaces, creating a winning campaign requires a strong 2025 Super Bowl ads strategy.

How Are Social Media and the Super Bowl Connected?

Short-form video content has transformed the way sports fans engage with events like the NFL playoffs and the Super Bowl. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have become go-to destinations for fans to consume bite-sized highlights, real-time updates, and behind-the-scenes moments. 

While NFL games are traditionally TV-driven spectacles, social media amplifies the experience, keeping fans engaged between games and hyping up major events like the Super Bowl. The buzz intensifies online as the big game approaches, connecting brands with highly engaged audiences eager to interact with Super Bowl-related content.

Early Super Bowl Buzz Since Q4

The Super Bowl conversation starts long before game day. Brand24 data reveals that by December 2024, mentions of the Super Bowl had already reached a social media reach of 94 million. Additionally, spending on 2025 Super Bowl ads reached an estimated $31.55 million, highlighting how brands have embraced the hype to secure their place in the conversation.

Super Bowl Social Media Reach by Platform

Each social media platform has its moment to shine during the Super Bowl. Here’s a breakdown of the engagement stats from the 2024 Super Bowl, showcasing how each network plays a unique role in connecting with audiences:

How Will Brands Use Social Media in Super Bowl Advertising This Year?

Social media advertising’s versatility is vast now—from the usual video ads to AR filters, interactive add-ons and stickers, and more. Brands can take advantage of many features in social media advertising platforms when preparing for their 2025 Super Bowl ads strategy. 

Here are just a few of the ways that brands can engage NFL fans in Super Bowl advertising campaigns:

Break into Cross-Device Experiences

Mobile devices dominate YouTube viewership, with an estimated 47.9% share for 2024. However, Connected TV (CTV) is proving to be a formidable contender. According to Strike Social’s Q3 2024 report, CTV campaigns boasted a 76% view rate, edging out mobile’s 73%.

The takeaway? A successful Super Bowl ads strategy for 2025 should target both mobile devices and CTV screens to maximize reach across large and small-screen audiences.

Further, Brian Wieser of Madison and Wall projects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% for sports programming spending through 2026, encompassing major events like the NBA, Olympics, NASCAR, and the NFL. This surge in spending signals the rising demand for sports content across all platforms.

Advertisers should also consider YouTube TV’s growing share of game-day viewership. During the 2024 Super Bowl, YouTube TV accounted for 14% of viewership, translating to over 17.3 million viewers out of the total 123.7 million audience. These figures highlight the value of targeting mobile users and CTV viewers to capture diverse audiences on game day.

Tapping Into the eSports and Gaming Community

Super Bowl ad audiences extend far beyond stadium-goers and social media followers—they also include eSports enthusiasts and the gaming community. These groups share a natural connection to competitive sports and team dynamics, making them an untapped audience for Super Bowl ads.

The U.S. eSports market is thriving, valued at approximately $1.07 billion in 2024. Moreover, the video game industry in the U.S. includes around 190.6 million players, 76% of whom are aged 18 and above—making them prime targets for Super Bowl advertising.

Another layer to consider is the sports betting community, which adds even more opportunities for brands to connect. NFL fans placing bets on Super Bowl odds represent a highly engaged audience subset. Localized campaigns can be particularly impactful in states where sports betting is legal, aligning your ads with state-specific opportunities outlined by the American Gaming Association.

The “Taylor Swift Effect” Still Going Strong

Taylor Swift has proven to be an ultimate force capable of boosting brands to unprecedented recognition—a phenomenon famously dubbed the “Taylor Swift effect.” Her influence spans diverse industries, from small businesses to established brands. Her recent appearances for boyfriend, Travis Kelce’s, NFL games have expanded football’s reach to the dedicated “Swiftie” demographic, bridging the gap between sports and pop culture.

Swift’s endorsements are often subtle yet highly effective, showcasing products regularly found across platforms like Amazon and TikTok Shop. Here are a few examples of her influential picks over the past year:

Even during the 2024 Super Bowl, brands have seen success by tapping into narratives that resonate with Swift’s audience. For instance, Cetaphil’s 30-second TV ad spot featured a father and daughter reconnecting, which received acclaim partly due to its emotional relevance to NFL fans and Swifties alike.

Similarly, by capitalizing on influencer collaborations, you can use the same playbook for your 2025 Super Bowl ads strategy. Partnering with influencers can help expand your reach and engage audiences more effectively. Start by identifying accounts with strong followings and high engagement in sports and lifestyle spaces.

Here’s a short list of top influencers to consider for your campaigns during Super Bowl 59:

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Further Reading

Connect with Sports Audiences using Instagram Partnership Ads

Previously known as Branded Content Ads, Partnership Ads allow seamless integration of sponsored content when collaborating with Instagram influencers. Learn how to generate ad codes and connect them with your 2025 Super Bowl advertising campaigns.

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Short-Form for the Long Run

While the 30-second NFL commercials during the Super Bowl undoubtedly capture millions of viewers, social media platforms allow brands to extend their reach with even shorter ads. Just 5 to 6 seconds can spark interest and engage your audience from the kickoff.

Short-form video not only builds initial awareness but also serves as a gateway to deeper engagement. By following up with longer ads, you can drive your viewers toward conversion and ultimately turn them into loyal consumers.

To illustrate the effectiveness of short-form content, here’s a snapshot from our Q1 2024 YouTube report. Shorter YouTube ads (15 seconds or less) had a strong 60% view rate, while slightly longer ads (16-30 seconds) held a 55% view rate. This data confirms that while shorter videos capture attention quickly, longer ads also provide a valuable opportunity to tell your brand’s story and drive conversions.

Super Bowl Marketing Strategies for Paid Social Ads

Now that you know how paid social can help you reach NFL fans, here are 2025 Super Bowl ads strategies to help you connect with engaged audiences this season:

Promoted Super Bowl Ads on X (Twitter)

Align Promoted Ads with the Game Moments

• Stay ahead of the game by sharing relevant Promoted Tweets that engage your audience in real-time. There’s no need to wait for the Super Bowl champion—capitalize on the excitement as the NFL playoffs kick off on January 12. With predictions circulating about which teams will make it to the big game, this is the perfect moment to join the conversation.
• With X Promoted Ads, you can position your brand at the top of search results when users look up “Super Bowl” or related content. Your ads can also appear within sports-centered feeds, reaching users whose interactions are focused on NFL-related tweets.

Super Bowl Advertising on Instagram

Partner Up with Nano Influencers

• Instagram is the top platform for influencer collaborations, with 72% of marketers choosing it for their campaigns. To add, influencer partnerships on Instagram yield the highest ROI at 30%, surpassing Facebook’s 20%.
• Focus on influencers whose content revolves around the NFL playoffs, Super Bowl ad predictions, or sports content in general. This allows you to tap into their engaged audience through Partnership Ads, extending your reach.
• On average, influencer partnership campaigns on Instagram see a 2.2% engagement rate. Partnering with nano influencers can increase this to 5%. With 65% of influencer accounts being nano influencers, there’s a large pool of potential collaborators for your Super Bowl ads.

Hook Audiences with Views-Focused Campaigns

• Just as Super Bowl commercials capture attention through 30-second TV ads, focusing on viewership in Instagram campaigns can lead to strong results. Strike Social’s Campaign Lab data reveals that optimizing for pre- and post-game hype during Q1 is key to driving higher view rates with your 2025 Super Bowl advertising campaigns.
• Instagram view rate trends reveal a surge starting two weeks before the Super Bowl. During game week, view rates may dip as audiences focus on game highlights and related content. However, ad viewership bounces back the following week and remains strong through March.
• Capitalize on this momentum by extending your campaigns to target sports audiences beyond the Super Bowl, sustaining the view rates as March Madness approaches.

Using Super Bowl in TikTok Advertising

Drive UGC with Branded Hashtag Challenges

• For their 2023 NFL Super Bowl marketing, Doritos launched the #DoritosTriangleTryout challenge. To join, users must create a “triangle-inspired dance” for a chance to be featured during the big game. TikTok influencers like Josh Killacky and Lizzie Lu quickly joined the trend, resulting in the branded hashtag amassing over 12 billion views.
• Get creative with your own branded hashtag to promote your 2025 Super Bowl ads. For example, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) are popular on game day, with 1 in 7 Americans ordering takeout during the game.
• Encourage customers to share their favorite game-day snacks with a hashtag like #[YourRestaurantName]SnackChallenge. UGC will help spark buzz and expand your reach, as your patrons’ communities share their videos, spreading your brand’s presence.

Super Bowl Ads on YouTube and its Networks

Big Screens for the Big Game

• YouTube is now a major player in Connected TV, alongside platforms like Roku, Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix. By 2026, YouTube’s revenue from CTV is projected to quadruple. When compared to other U.S. streaming services, YouTube holds the top share in both ad time (4.6%) and time spent (9.9%).
• Advertising on YouTube allows brands to tap into ad inventory across various networks, including YouTube TV and Google TV. With YouTube TV’s 8 million users and Google TV’s 20 million, brands can make a significant impact without the high cost of advertising during the Super Bowl.

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Further Reading

Utilize Google TV’s Growing Network for Your YouTube Ads

Increase brand awareness by telling a compelling story that captures viewers’ attention. Begin with the big screens and discover how to tap into Google TV’s growing network for your YouTube ad campaigns.

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YouTube Shorts for Fast, Shareable Content

• Let’s not forget that YouTube is a mobile app first, and thus, mobile users should never be ignored. Our data from Q1 encompassing the 2024 Super Bowl, showing the share of impressions and views, highlights how mobile and CTV placements level the playing field:

• Along with CTV placements, focusing on short-form content on YouTube Shorts can help you reach more sports-engaged audiences, boosting your Super Bowl ads’ performance even further. If you’re focusing on a Views-centric approach, a good 2025 Super Bowl ads strategy would include a YouTube Video Views Campaign, where you can take advantage of YouTube Shorts, skippable in-stream, and in-feed placements.
• Based on our 2024 Campaign Lab data, here’s a snapshot of view rates for different industries during January to March:

• As we can see, industries like gambling (which ties into sports betting), adult beverages, and food are big draws for NFL fans watching the Super Bowl. However, even if you’re a non-sports brand like automotive or finance, our YouTube data shows you can still effectively reach Super Bowl fans and sports audiences.
• By utilizing precise audience targeting and segmentation, paired with continuous optimization, you can ensure your 2025 Super Bowl ads strategy succeeds.

Is Your Paid Social Ads Strategy Now Super Bowl-Ready?

The 2025 Super Bowl will be a highly competitive arena, with both sports and non-sports brands vying for ad space. Let’s be honest—while the $7 million price tag for a Super Bowl ad is out of reach for many, paid social media advertising offers a more cost-effective way to reach the same audience, at a fraction of the price.

Working with an experienced ad agency can significantly enhance the performance of your Super Bowl campaign. Share your 2025 goals with us, and let’s discuss how our SwaS (software with a service) solutions can help optimize your Super Bowl campaigns.

The post Play to Win With Our 2025 Super Bowl Ads Strategy Guide appeared first on Strike Social.

How Targeting Sports Audiences Drives Results During Major Sports Events

The meteoric rise of powerhouse women athletes like Simone Biles, Alex Morgan, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark exemplifies the surge of sports on social media. Beyond their remarkable achievements in women’s sports, these athletes have each seen their careers skyrocket and a boost in social media engagement. Comscore reported that women’s sports are becoming mainstream, boosting a 219% YoY social media growth from ESPNW.

This year, the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament shattered viewership records, capturing the attention of sports fans nationwide. The championship game between the University of South Carolina and the University of Iowa drew 18.7 million average viewers, peaking at over 24 million combined on ESPN and ABC. The 2024 collegiate season marked the first time a women’s final surpassed the viewership of the men’s championship game.

Let’s understand how social media’s influence is pivotal in sports marketing. By examining how brands and advertisers can harness sports-centric content strategically, we can uncover opportunities to enhance campaign engagement, establish emotional connections with audiences, and create brand loyalty.

Sports Teams and Athletes are Becoming Brand Champions

Sports teams and athletes possess universal appeal, enabling businesses to engage with enthusiasts and a broader demographic that may not traditionally follow sports.

These types of content transcend various cultures and demographics, capturing themes of unity, perseverance, and victory that resonate with the masses. Notably, sports fans, regardless of their level of fanaticism, often engage with a team or athlete’s social media pages, especially during significant events.

Caitlin Clark, a generational talent in the WNCAA, has experienced phenomenal growth on Instagram, mirroring her exceptional career. In September 2021, she had 46,808 followers. Approximately three years before securing the top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, Clark has amassed a remarkable 1.5 million followers on Instagram. Her follower count surged during her March Madness stint, with approximately 60k new followers in February-March 2022, 350k in February-April 2023, and a staggering one million in February-April 2024.

The prominence of sports fandom on social media has been amplified recently, particularly with the increasing popularity of women athletes filling our social newsfeeds. As a result, brands can capitalize on this surge of engagement by aligning their advertising campaigns with the trending sports buzz. This strategic placement of ads within relevant sports-related content can effectively capture the attention of a wider audience and enhance brand exposure.

Why Should Non-Sports Brands Add Sports Audiences To Their Targeting?

Given the effectiveness of sports teams and athletes as brand advocates, it’s beneficial to understand why non-sports brands should consider including sports audiences in their paid social strategies.

Looking at the example, Caitlin Clark’s explosive growth on social media exemplifies the individual athlete’s influence and the broader potential for brands to tap into these vibrant fan bases and target highly engaging sports content.

Here are three insights on why advertisers should be targeting sports audiences:

1. Broader Market Reach

Sports and athletes provide a gateway to diverse audiences. Lifestyle brands can have a fresh new set of eyes from sports and athlete followers. Sports content usually shows victory, motivation, and perseverance, and brands can harness these themes to enhance their ad narratives.

2. High Engagement Levels

Athletes like Caitlin Clark demonstrate the potential for quality engagement with sports followers on social media platforms. Brands should be around conversation during key sports events. Interaction with sports followers drives results as it translates into significant brand awareness and recall.

3. Efficient Personalized Messaging Through Localized Campaigns

During events like the NCAA Finals, geo-targeting specific regions or cities where games are being held or where fan bases are located can be highly effective. Localized campaigns allow for more personalized marketing, leading to higher engagement rates at a lower cost than broader national campaigns.

Sports Audience Targeting in Action

The team used custom affinity audiences in a YouTube ad campaign, balancing sports-centric audience targeting and sustainability interests. The campaign achieved a 13% CPM efficiency for non-skippable ads and a 40% cost reduction in CPV for skippable ads.

An important insight gained was that sports-centric audience targeting worked well with non-skippable ads on connected TVs (CTV). Understanding viewers’ viewing intent based on the device can increase efficiency. For non-skippable ads on larger screens, viewers are likelier to stick around and watch the ad, as they’re consuming long-form sports content like condensed games, replays, analysis, or match breakdowns. Unlike mobile viewers, attention spans are shorter, and viewing intent is mixed.

Balancing the ratio of sports-centric and interest-based, matching the right ad formats, and device targeting are factors that advertisers shouldn’t overlook.

Download our 2024 YouTube HVAC Case Study

By targeting sports audiences, the HVAC brand tapped into its viewer’s interests, leading to significant reach and surpassing view targets through the use of Custom Intent audiences in its YouTube campaign.

Download the report

Social Platforms Ad Tools That You Can Use In Capitalizing Growth in Sports Viewership

Having established the synergy between the explosion in sports viewership and social media, advertisers can now know how to capitalize on the popularity of high-profile sports events by utilizing social platforms as dynamic advertising toolkits. These platforms allow brands to effectively engage with sports fans at all levels by tapping into each platform’s user base’s unique features and consumption habits.

Apart from targeting sports audiences, below are three refined strategies advertisers can employ:

Streamline Endorsements or Brand Partnerships Process

• TikTok Spark Ads: Collaborate with influential creators to produce authentic branded content. For example, a sports drink brand might partner with fitness influencers on TikTok to create native-looking workout videos that subtly highlight product benefits.
• Instagram Branded Content: Partner with athletes and influencers to integrate branded messages into their content, enhancing credibility and appeal.
• YouTube BrandConnect: Work with YouTube publishers and sports content creators to amplify brand narratives within fan communities, fostering deeper connections.

Leverage Specific Features or Ad Placements for Integrated Campaigns

• Instagram and Facebook Reels, Stories Ads: Use immersive, short-form video content to captivate audiences and drive engagement during major sports events.
• YouTube Shorts Ads: Go for bite-sized, visually compelling advertisements to reach viewers and maintain their attention.
• TikTok Interactive Add-Ons: Boost engagement through interactive elements like stickers, filters, and mini-games, making ad experiences more engaging.

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Further Reading

Which Short-Form Ad Platform is Your Go-To?

TikTok pioneered bite-sized videos and quickly became one of the fastest-growing social media platforms. In response, Meta introduced Reels on Instagram and Facebook, while YouTube Shorts soon followed. The question is: which short-form video platform should your brand prioritize?

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Utilize Extensive Targeting Capabilities

• TikTok Hashtag Targeting: Reach audiences based on their interests and behaviors within specific content categories, such as #Olympics2024 or #marchmadness2024
• Facebook and Instagram Behavioral and Connection-Based Targeting: Target users precisely based on their interests, online activities, and connections to sports-related pages and groups.
• YouTube’s Access to CTV, Affinity, and In-Market Audiences: Exploit advanced targeting options to reach highly relevant audiences across devices and platforms, optimizing for viewers actively looking for sports content or related products.

If you’re looking to harness the power of sports fandom in your marketing campaigns and see real efficiencies in targeting sports fans, our team is ready to assist.

We understand the dynamics of sports marketing and the unique opportunities it presents on social platforms. By partnering with us, you’ll access data-centric insights that can transform your advertising efforts.

The post Non-sports Brands Can Score Big by Targeting Sports Audiences appeared first on Strike Social.

This post was updated in January 2025 to provide you with the latest information.

What’s the State of Sports Betting Advertising Today?

Despite a 21% decline in 2023, sports betting advertising in the U.S. continues to experience significant growth. As of November 2024, the American Gaming Association (AGA) reports an 8.6% year-over-year (YoY) revenue increase for the commercial gaming industry, with sports betting specifically showing a remarkable 26.8% YoY growth. This brings sports betting’s share of the industry to 10.9%.

This upward trend is largely driven by the increasing number of U.S. states legalizing sports betting for adults aged 21 and above.

The addition of markets like North Carolina and Vermont, which have recently launched sports betting and now allow sports betting ads, has significantly boosted engagement.

Sports Betting Ads on Social Media

TikTok emerges as a prominent platform for engaging sports audiences with a remarkable 2.15% engagement rate, surpassing Instagram (0.75%) and Facebook (0.22%).

Social media’s influence extends further to sports gambling behavior, with celebrities and influencers increasingly utilized in advertising efforts. These personalities—sports journalists, former athletes, and betting experts—engage specific sports communities, offering targeted content and authentic interactions that resonate with audiences.

With these trends in mind, brands launching sports betting ads must consider how to capitalize on these insights to enhance their strategies.

Preparing Your Sports Betting Ad Campaigns Before Launch

Launching sports gambling and betting ads requires complexities and adhering to specific constraints. Before you hit “publish,” we recommend reviewing this checklist to ensure your campaign is primed for success.

Audience Targeting

Sports audiences have undergone a significant transformation, partly propelled by notable events like the Taylor Swift effect during the Super Bowl. The 2024 NFL season saw record-breaking female viewership, including a 53% surge among teenage girls, a 24% increase among women aged 18-24, and a 34% rise among women aged 35 and older.

On platforms like Facebook and YouTube, sports-related content commands significant engagement rates. Sports teams lead the pack on Facebook with an average engagement rate of 0.27%, followed closely by influencers at 0.23% and higher education at 0.15%. Moreover, the projected surge in sports viewership on YouTube will reach 90 million by 2025.

Limitations: Media buyers must recognize the varying legal age requirements for gambling across different US states, with some jurisdictions prohibiting it altogether. We recommend setting the minimum age for sports betting ads at 21 to ensure compliance and maximize reach. Refer to the table below for state-specific regulations:

Location Targeting

For sports betting apps or websites seeking a global audience, especially during major occasions like the Olympics, you must assess the legal framework of the countries you intend to focus on. Each nation maintains its unique regulations concerning sports betting advertising.

Below is a summary of select countries and their positions regarding sports betting ads on YouTube. If a country is not included, it means that YouTube ads presently do not accommodate gambling ads in that jurisdiction.

For more detailed information on limitations in specific countries, click here.

Ad Platform Considerations

While you may have a preferred platform for advertising where your campaigns typically perform well, note that not all platforms permit sports betting ads on social media, and each has its own set of guidelines to follow.

TikTok, for instance, prohibits the promotion of gambling or any related activities. Meanwhile, on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, advertisers must seek written permission and are prohibited from targeting sports betting ads to audiences under 18 years old.

There’s more flexibility on YouTube, as the platform allows the promotion of sites or content related to online gambling. However, advertisers must undergo Google certification before advertising sports betting apps or websites. If you want to promote sports betting apps or sites on YouTube, you can apply through Google’s official platform certification here.

Best Practices for Promoting Sports Betting on Social Media

After obtaining certifications and permissions and successfully launching your ads on your chosen platform, the next step is to ensure the continuity of your campaign. Here’s a closer look at potential issues that may arise mid-flight and how you can resolve them:

Disapproved Landing Page

• Problem: Your ad links to a landing page that violates platform policies, such as containing excessive gambling references or lacking responsible gambling resources.
• Resolution: Ensure your ad includes clear disclaimers, especially regarding age restrictions. Incorporate prominent visuals or audio reminders indicating that viewers must be of legal gambling age. Additionally, consider “pinning” a comment that outlines responsible gambling practices and resources associated with your brand.

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Further Reading

Why Facebook Rejects Your Ads (and How to Avoid It)

Facebook’s advertising platform enforces strict guidelines that all advertisers must adhere to. Learning the typical causes of ad rejection can help you avoid the lengthy and often frustrating appeals process.

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Lack of Transparency or Misleading Claims

• Problem: Ads that lack transparency regarding odds, promotions, or terms of service or contain misleading claims may be disapproved of or restricted.
• Resolution: Avoid making exaggerated claims or omitting crucial information that could mislead users. Use clear and prominent disclosures to ensure transparency and foster trust with your audience.

Targeting Minors or Restricted Audiencces

• Problem: Targeting minors or audiences not permitted to participate in gambling activities.
• Resolution: Be mindful that legal gambling ages vary by state. Consider creating separate campaigns or ad groups targeting states with differing legal ages. For example, one campaign could target states with an 18+ legal age for gambling, while another focuses on states with a legal age of 21+ for online betting.

Policy Changes Mid-Campaign

• Problem: Your chosen advertising platform may implement new policies mid-campaign, restricting your ad content and leading to rejection or disapproval.
• Resolution: Subscribe to alerts or industry blogs to stay informed about platform policy changes. Quickly adapt your campaign creatives and targeting to comply with updated regulations. This proactive approach helps prevent disruptions and ensures the smooth progression of your sports betting app ads.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Gambling Ads in Online Advertising

When it comes to advertising sports betting on social media, it’s natural to be skeptical due to many restrictions and limitations. Will it be too expensive? Can it achieve the same reach and efficiency? Let’s examine this further.

The data from YouTube’s Q1 2024 TrueView Instream Skippable campaigns reveals that gambling ads achieve a 10% lower CPV compared to the overall 2023 benchmarks of our US campaigns. Additionally, CPV for online gambling ads experienced a further 7% reduction, indicating a continued efficiency in cost-effectiveness.

In Facebook campaigns utilizing the Impressions objective, the CPM for gambling ads is strikingly 70% lower than our US campaign benchmark. This stark contrast highlights the potential efficiency that your sports betting ads can attain through paid social media advertising platforms.

Get Your Sports Betting Ads In The Game

Regardless of the restrictions surrounding advertising sports betting on social media platforms, it’s clear that there are strategies to leverage the excitement and expansive reach available through this channel. With numerous upcoming sports events, social media advertising offers a prime opportunity to get your sports gambling ads seen.

Reach out to our team to discover additional ways to capitalize on paid social media advertising to enhance your sports betting campaigns.

The post How to Keep Your Sports Betting Ads from Getting Rejected appeared first on Strike Social.

It’s NCAA season again, which means gearing up for March Madness marketing. Traditionally, sports fans eagerly anticipate live games and real-time updates on social media. However, this sports season isn’t just for athletic or sports-related brands anymore. It’s a prime opportunity for all brands to shine. This is your chance to showcase your brand and be among the advertisers making the most of this opportunity.

Strategies for Dominating March Madness Marketing on Social Media

Have you completed your March Madness 2024 marketing checklist (bracket) yet? As sports enthusiasts gear up for NCAA action, social media engagement skyrockets during the tournament. In a March 2023 survey, 64% of avid sports fans planning to watch the NCAA tournament expressed intent to stay connected via social media. As a media buyer, your mission is to capture the attention of these dedicated fans, even amid the excitement of each round and individual game.

Similar to the buzz generated by Super Bowl social media campaigns, advertising during major sporting events extends beyond traditional sports brands and athletic wear. With the right strategies and insights, any brand can leverage March Madness marketing tactics to increase engagement and visibility. It’s all about understanding your audience and employing effective media buying strategies to succeed during this thrilling season.

Crafting March Madness Marketing Strategies Through Social Media Trends

During last year’s NCAA tournament, advertising revenue surged past $1 billion, with CBS and Turner Sports reporting complete inventory sell-outs. A significant boost in viewership accompanied this increase in revenue, which was particularly evident in the championship game between the Connecticut Huskies and the San Diego State Aztecs, which drew in 14.69 million viewers – a 13% increase from the previous year.

Given the substantial advertising costs during such high-profile events, many brands turn to social media platforms to maximize their ad spending and reach. 

To gain deeper insights into audience behavior and refine your March Madness marketing strategy, let’s take a closer look at the dynamics of each platform.

X (Twitter)

March Madness becomes an interactive spectacle, with users live-tweeting as the games unfold. Approximately 80% of #MarchMadness Tweets occurred during gameplay in 2022, generating over 44,000 tweets on the tournament’s first two days alone.

In 2023, as the games drew to a close, the total tweet count surged to 959,000. March 18 recorded the highest activity, with 108,490 tweets featuring the March Madness keyword.

TikTok

As of now, March Madness 2024 content on TikTok has collectively amassed 5.9 million views.

During the 2023 March Madness marketing season, TikTok Now adjusted its daily posting prompts to coincide with the key highlights of March Madness games, aiming to enhance the presence of genuine college basketball content on the platform. This initiative marked a significant shift for TikTok, transitioning towards prioritizing live shows over merely curated game highlights and reaction videos.

However, it’s important to note that short-form videos showcasing game highlights and reactions will continue to be prevalent. Even now, content related to March Madness 2024 predictions, top picks, and research for betting on the NCAA tournament is already gaining traction.

Last year, various types of content garnered significant views throughout the March Madness season:

YouTube

YouTube TV revolutionized March Madness viewing last year by introducing “multiview” streaming just in time for the tournament. This innovative feature allows users to watch multiple games simultaneously on a split screen, selecting from pre-selected multi-game streams tailored to their sports preferences. Depending on their choice, viewers could simultaneously watch two, three, or four games, significantly enhancing their experience during the event.

The introduction of multiview streaming effectively addressed fans’ desire to catch multiple games on a single screen. This feature played a pivotal role in the March Madness trend, where a noticeable surge in video views aligned perfectly with the NCAA tournament’s key dates. This increase is evident in the activity on the NCAA’s March Madness YouTube channel, which regularly uploads content, including game highlights and match previews.

The channel leverages YouTube’s interactive features to engage fans, contributing to the spike in viewership. Moreover, the channel’s successful marketing efforts around college basketball, aimed at both attracting new viewers and retaining engaged audiences, are clearly demonstrated by the subscriber growth observed from February to April.

Formulate Your Marketing Mix Using Key March Madness Marketing Trends

Get ready for the upcoming March Madness season, spanning from March 17 to April 8, featuring a total of 67 games. Mark your advertising calendar for the key dates:

Now that you’re familiar with the essential dates for your March Madness campaigns, have a look at these additional insights:

Audience Targeting

With 58.8 million female viewers watching the Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, a significant increase from the 9% recorded last year, it’s clear that the sports fandom is no longer exclusive to men. Female audiences accounted for 47.5% of the total viewership, marking the “highest composition ever.” Additionally, there was a substantial increase in younger demographics, with viewership numbers rising by 6% for the 12-17 age group and 10% for the 18-34 age group.

Simultaneously, interest and engagement in women’s tournaments have soared. In 2022, the women’s national tournament expanded its marketing partnerships, increasing from 14 sponsors and 22 advertisers to 15 sponsors and nearly 100 advertisers. Empowered by this support, female athletes showcased compelling performances, driving a 103% increase in viewership compared to previous years.

ESPN’s insights further illuminate the growing popularity of women’s basketball. The 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament witnessed an uptick in viewer numbers, with the first round averaging 257,000 viewers – a 27% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the tournament set new records for ESPN, with several games surpassing 400,000 viewers and fans collectively watching over 4.7 billion minutes of women’s March Madness sports tournaments.

Furthermore, SponsorPulse’s data reveals that 61% of NCAA March Madness fans in the US are male, and 39% are from the female demographic. The tournament’s primary audience falls within the 35-44 age range, with 26% of US residents in this demographic engaging with the event, followed closely by 20% of individuals aged 25-35.

Winning Industries and Strategies

Certain industries, including quick-service restaurants (QSRs), sports bars, and beverage companies, have consistently demonstrated strong brand preference throughout the March Madness marketing season. These sectors capitalize on the excitement surrounding college basketball to create unique consumer experiences.

Lessons From Big Names On How To Promote A Brand During March Madness

Media buyers often draw inspiration from past campaigns to understand what works and what doesn’t. Whether you’re launching your first March Madness advertising campaign in 2024 or seeking fresh ideas, explore how major brands executed their strategies in this compilation of March Madness marketing case studies:

Nissan

Last year, Nissan took an innovative approach to March Madness marketing by introducing a road-themed advertising campaign. The campaign featured Nissan’s all-new electric Ariya car in commercials depicting people driving to the tournament alongside various college mascots.

In addition to their traditional marketing efforts, Nissan partnered with TikTok to create the “TikTok Now” campaign. This collaboration aimed to engage a younger audience by delivering tailored content through the popular social media platform.

The “TikTok Now” campaign was highly successful, with over 9 million views, and received more than 1.5 million likes. Moreover, Nissan reported a remarkable 150% increase in website traffic during their March Madness social media campaign, indicating a booming brand interest and engagement drive.

Buick

Buick’s commitment to female empowerment shines through its March Madness marketing initiatives during the 2023 Division One college hoops tournament.

#SeeHerGreatness Challenge 

This challenge, supported by talented women from various sports and fitness backgrounds, amplified Buick’s dedication to celebrating female achievements. In addition, Buick ran an equal number of paid ads in both the women’s and men’s NCAA tournaments. Their marketing endeavors were specifically designed to boost women’s sports and elevate the visibility of female athletes.

Buick’s activities also involved partnering with Dentsu Creative to develop TV and online ads featuring prominent female college athletes like Aliyah Boston, Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark, Azzi Fudd, and Kiki Rice. These ads not only spotlighted these athletes but also provided a platform for them to share their stories and inspire others.

Central to Buick’s campaign was the hero ad, titled ‘The Next: See Her Greatness,’ which sparked intrigue by asking, “Who will be the next great female athlete?” This compelling narrative drove viewers to Buick’s ‘See Her Greatness’ online platform, further promoting their mission to increase women’s visibility in sports and beyond.

Brands Excelling In March Madness Influencer Marketing

Nike

During March Madness, Nike took center stage with its influencer-led ‘NCAA Tourney Gear’ Collection, garnering a staggering total of 1.1 billion impressions. This collection featured a diverse range of college-branded apparel, allowing fans to proudly support their favorite teams. To amplify its reach, Nike collaborated with influencers like DJ Khaled, leveraging their massive social media following to promote the collection to a wider audience.

Wendy’s

Wendy’s launched #ForTheWendys, a Twitter event aimed at promoting their annual March Madness Pick ‘Em contest. By encouraging users to share their team picks using the hashtag, Wendy’s created a sense of community and anticipation. The campaign saw remarkable engagement, with #ForTheWendys generating approximately 1,000 interactions, including 934 likes, and reaching an impressive 4.35 million potential impressions from March 14 to 21.

DraftKings

DraftKings made a splash with its expertly crafted betting promotions, attracting widespread attention and reaching up to 1.0 billion individuals. The brand launched two enticing offers—a daily fantasy offer and several free-to-play pools—available to participants in most states. 

To extend its reach even further, DraftKings partnered with social media influencers, including outlets like Barstool Sports, to connect with a broader audience.

Catch DraftKings in action this 2024 March Madness, showcasing a dynamic TikTok video ad featuring Nick Young, now at the Top 24% CTR spot among active March Madness TikTok ads.

Mapping Out Your March Madness 2024 Marketing Plan

As you start crafting your March Madness 2024 marketing plan, remember that success lies in the details. By incorporating the creative and effective strategies outlined here, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the excitement of this sports season while achieving your brand’s advertising goals. Keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, so be sure to tailor your strategies to align with your brand’s unique identity and objectives.

If you have any questions or need assistance in strategizing for your March Madness advertising goals, don’t hesitate to reach out. Schedule a meeting with us, and together, we’ll not only navigate the sports season but also position your brand for success in the upcoming holiday seasons and beyond.

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