Marketing Madness

Every March, 68 NCAA college basketball teams go head to head hoping to win the championship. Within the championship, there are stages. These stages include the Sweet 16, the Elite Eight, and the Final Four. Each team fights to reach these stages, and their fans stand with them in support. That's right, each of the 68 teams has a following of students, alumni, and others. These fans are the audience of what has become one of the most popular events through which businesses advertise. This huge audience is the perfect target for companies to try and reach. The Universities that make it to the championship are given the opportunity to market themselves simply by being a part of the competition. Fans of these teams are likely to go out and buy school clothing, banners, and countless other items that represent how die-hard of a fan they really are.

Along with the schools themselves, other businesses take advantage of the events by airing commercials during the games and placing advertisements online related to them. A great way for smaller businesses to market their brand is if a school near them makes it to the championship. Showing support for their team online or within an advertisement will get the attention of the students and fans, and have them thinking that you're on their side. There are an endless number of ways to market your brand related to March Madness, and businesses all over are doing just that.

- Paul Gielow

Sources:

- Carter, Brandon. "5 March Madness Marketing Tips To Help Your Brand Perform During the Big Dance." English 5 March Madness Marketing Tips To Help Your Brand Perform During the Big Dance Comments. N.p., 11 Mar. 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

             http://www.outbrain.com/blog/2015/03/march-madness-marketing-tips.html

- Demetriou, Gregory P. "March Madness Marketing." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 22 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

             http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ira-kalb/march-madness-marketing-a_b_9443412.html

- "How To Watch NCAA March Madness Live on Mobile & Streaming Devices." HD Report. N.p., 13 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

             http://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/how-to-watch-march-madness/

- O'Brien, Mike. "Final Four: Brands Who Did March Madness Marketing Best." ClickZ Final Four Brands Who Did March Madness Marketing Best Comments. N.p., 3 Apr. 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.

https://www.clickz.com/clickz/news/2402815/final-four-brands-who-did-march-madness-marketing-best