Billion Dollar Bracket Busted

Well it was a good run, Quicken Loans and Warren Buffett; but after just two full days of March Madness (for real though, complete madness) all 11 million brackets are deemed "imperfect." Honestly though, you have to be some sort of psychic to call Duke, Ohio State, and Cincinnati  losing right out of the gate. Also, who would have thought that Kansas, Villanova, and Syracuse would lose the very next round? Okay, I'll be honest, I did call Cuse losing but definitely none of the others. This year is nuts! Only three #1, two #2s, one #3, and four #4s remain in the Sweet 16 (maybe they should call it lucky number 4). No wonder everyone is out before they even felt a slight chance of hope. It only took 21 games for everyone to be eliminated.

(No. 14 Mercer celebrates their 78-71 win over No. 3 Duke)

Enough ranting about how permanently in shock, slightly angered I am at this year's NCAA Tournament, I must take a second to compliment the true marketing strategy of Quicken Loans and all other companies who help feed our love of bracketed competition. Quicken Loans has been trending for weeks as the Billion Dollar Bracket Buzz only grew leading up to the official kick-off. Other companies such as Audi and Best Buy have also taken advantage of competition, by creating there own prize winning brackets. The catch? Just provide them your email so they can forever span you with notifications on their latest products. Many people look past this little check however and these companies have taken advantage of March Madness fans. I know I personally have 4 brackets in multiple groups, why? Because I love the feeling when my team is in the green and I am beating all my friends.

(George Washington's 66-71 loss to Memphis ended the last 3 perfect brackets Friday, March 21st)

I will leave you with one final glimpse of hope! Although Quicken Loans will not be giving away $1 billion this time around, the top 20 scores will each be receiving a hefty prize of $100,000. So do not throw away your brackets just yet fans, it is not the end until Florida wins! (disclaimer: this is the only time in my life I will ever support Florida)


Sources:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/buffett-billion-dollar-bracket-dream-dead-loses-article-1.1730089
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/mercer-beats-duke-and-it-was-men-vs-boys/2014/03/21/9b5a9130-b139-11e3-95e8-39bef8e9a48b_story.html

March Madness

There is a lot of hype generating around this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, otherwise know as "March Madness." Last year, over $1.5 billion was generated in TV ad revenue for the nearly month long event. Revenues this year are expected to far surpass those of 2013. Large companies are now rallying around the event that brings together college basketball fans from all over the country to cheer on the best 64 teams in the nation.

Anheuser-Busch is famously known for its all inclusive, full brand experience hotels, Bud Light Hotels, that it rents out for Superbowl fans each year. Well that tradition is now moving to March Madness. Anheuser-Busch has rented out a hotel in Dallas for four days around the final rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

(An outside look of the Bud lLght Hotel from Superbowl XLVI)

Other major marketing efforts seen at large scale sporting events are also being implemented into March Madness. Coke Zero and AT&T have teamed up to provide concerts everyday while the tournament is in Dallas. A March Madness specific app has even been created for fans to keep up with all the action taking place.

The tournament is sure to spark a lot of talk and it provides the perfect opportunity for companies to promote their brands for nearly an entire month! That is a winning situation if you ask me, I know I will be watching.

Have you filled out your bracket yet?

Sources:

http://www.minyanville.com/sectors/media/articles/March-Madness-Marketing-Mayhem-T-DIS/3/17/2014/id/54183