McDonald’s has partnered with the Collegiate Sports Management Group for the upcoming Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup, called ‘May Madness’. The fast-food chain will host promotions and giveaways during the competition, and there will also be special offers integrated into the McDonald’s app.
McDonald’s will send a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) team to the cup and sponsor the jerseys of the players. The Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup is the largest collegiate esports festival in the United States and is scheduled for May 5-7 at the Esports Stadium Arlington in Texas.
Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) is a College Properties Group that drives the business performance of college athletic conferences and schools, providing them with a successful growth strategy, and generating revenue to support their athletic departments.
CSMG offers expertise in developing communities through brand building, original content, and event production & management. They drive their partners’ success at the crossroads of tech, sports, entertainment, and video games.
Image Credit: CSMG, McDonald's
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Collegiate Esports Marketing
- Opportunity for brands to partner with collegiate esports events and create integrated promotions and giveaways for increased brand exposure.
- HBCU Esports Sponsorship
- Opportunity for brands to sponsor and support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) esports teams for increased brand diversity and cultural inclusivity.
- Sports Entertainment Partnerships
- Opportunity for brands to collaborate with sports management groups for integrated event production and management services, with a focus on brand building and original content creation.
Where This Applies
- Fast Food
- Fast food chains can partner with esports events to promote their brand through integrated promotions and sponsor esports teams for increased diversity and reach.
- Sports Management
- Sports management groups can collaborate with brands to provide event production & management services, while driving their partners’ success in the sports, entertainment, and video games industries.
- Higher Education
- Universities and colleges can develop esports programs and partner with brands to generate revenue to support their athletic departments, while providing students with opportunities to compete and develop their skills in the esports industry.
