Sports are huge in almost every country in the world. In the US, among popular types of sports, including football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. Fans would often flock to various sports arenas to support and cheer for their favorite teams.
Meanwhile, some sports fanatics would tune in to the sports TV channel in time to see their favorite teams play. Regardless of the type of sports, one thing is for sure: it has indeed caught the attention of sports enthusiasts from all over the world.
Because of this, sports marketing firms in Arizona and elsewhere around the world have banked on this phenomenon to promote brands and their respective products and services.
What is sports marketing?
In a nutshell, sports marketing refers to a type of marketing that uses sports to promote products and services. It may involve using college sports, professional sports, and minor leagues to create an effective marketing strategy.
Using sports as an advertising medium can be an effective platform to reach millions of consumers who are into various types of sports. There are different forms of sports marketing. For example, sports teams can sell ad spaces to brands inside sports arenas and stadium.
On the other hand, a lot of TV networks and sports channels sell advertisement airtime to promote products and services. Also, a lot of sports-related brands use popular sports personalities as their brand ambassadors and promote their products among sports fans all over the world.
Current sports marketing trends
Sports marketing has become a billion-dollar industry. This includes various sources of revenues such as brand endorsements, product merchandising, and sports equipment production among a few.
The past years have seen a rise in sports marketing as an effective way to promote brands. Among the popular trends in sports marketing nowadays include the following:
Women empowerment
Sports brands have banked on gender equality and “girl power” as an important element to communicate to their consumers. It has put sportswomen on the pedestal and encouraged everyone, regardless of gender, to be good in their own chosen craft.
Social media
The use of social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram has made the interaction between brands and consumers easier. Add to that is the fact that fans have the opportunity to reach out to their favorite athletes and know more about their daily lives.
Social advocacy
Some brands use athletes to help communicate their causes. From mental health awareness to gender equality, these brands have become successful in promoting social awareness and empowerment through popular athletes.
Sports marketing as a career
Having an educational background in sports marketing can have a potentially fulfilling career in this industry. For one, sports marketers can be employed in media outlets as sports writers or reporters.
On the other hand, a lot of companies often hire sports marketing graduates to help build their brand. They can also have the opportunity to be employed in colleges and universities as lecturers.
Sports marketing graduates can also work under local or national government tourism offices as well as national sports associations. It involves extensive knowledge of all aspects of sports and understanding its demographics. Not only sports marketing should focus on promoting brand engagement but also reach into the hearts and minds of sports fans all over the world.
