We’re midway through March and Spring is nearly upon us. That can only mean one thing: it’s time again for the beloved and highly-anticipated NCAA March Madness tournament!
For some of the players, this tournament can represent the pinnacle of their athletic careers; a chance for exposure on a large scale, and the potential career opportunities that could come about as a result. For viewers, it provides a riveting few weeks of basketball, often filled with an energy that can be hard to come by, even at the professional level.
For those in the OOH world, it provides ample opportunity!
By its very nature, the NCAA tournament is constantly pulsing and shifting – who’s been eliminated, if there was a surprise upset, if an underdog team has been on the rise, etc. In these instances, DOOH is particularly well-equipped to provide real-time updates to those who may not be at home watching already.
However, time-sensitive updates like this are by no means the only way that OOH makes an impact during the tournament. Much like with the Super Bowl, there is a noticeable uptick in sales of snack-foods and beverages like beer during the March Madness Tournament. In fact, according to WalletHub’s excellent infographic on this year’s tournament, beer sales themselves increase 19% during the run of the tournament. Beyond this, there are direct correlations between the way teams perform and how people celebrate after the fact – largely, through takeout!
OOH finds itself in a particularly strong position here – ad placements for snacks, beers, delivery apps, and more can intersect with a surge in demand that remains through March, even into April! In many ways, this is one of OOH’s “X-factors” over other mediums; the intersection of demand, placement, and impact gives OOH the unique ability to reach people in both the right place, and the right time.
Best of luck with your tournament brackets – though slim odds (1 in 9.2 quintillion), a perfect bracket is indeed possible!