We don’t have the rights to use ESPN’s SportsCenter theme song, so you’re just going to have to imagine it here, as we dive into some of our favorite sports-related promotional campaigns and stories from the year.
Let’s call it our Top Plays, just to keep the theme alive, shall we?
1. Bud Light’s Browns Coolers
The City of Cleveland is a bit of a laughingstock thanks to the Browns’ ineptitude. After 635 days without a single win, the Browns finally did it, thanks to rookie QB Baker Mayfield. To celebrate, Bud Light stocked the city with branded coolers that would open when they finally won, so Browns fans (of legal drinking age) could toss one back and feel that sweet relief.
2. T.J. Oshie Chugging
After the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup, Caps star T.J. Oshie was shown chugging a Bud Light through his jersey, which he pulled over his head. Bud Light, again with the clever plans, came up with a promotional T-shirt with “Let’s Go Caps” printed on the underside, in case anyone in D.C. felt like emulating Oshie. (They definitely did.)
3. Adidas’ World Series Vending Machine
We are all about convenience. If you can get something with minimal effort, that’s a win in our book. The vending machine is the ultimate in convenience, and adidas enabled our laziness with digital vending machines at the World Series in Los Angeles. The vending machines dispensed branded gear that related to real-time events going on in the game. The future is now.
4. Be Your Own Bobblehead
Athletes of all ages probably dream of someday having a bobblehead of their own. It’s a sign that means you’ve made it. People want a grotesque version of you on their desks at work or on their sports memorabilia shelf in the basement. Players for the University of Alabama and University of Oklahoma will finally live out that dream thanks to one of the giveaways courtesy of the Orange Bowl.
5. Branded Statues
If you thought we weren’t going to bring up the Eagles on this list, you were wrong. Go Birds, baby! For real though, after backup quarterback Nick Foles’ gutsy play known as the “Philly Special” in the Super Bowl, Lincoln Financial Field got a brand new statue of Foles and head coach Doug Pederson discussing the play call. Oh, and it was courtesy of Bud Light, because the beer giant pretty much ruled sports promotions this year.
