Awkwardly Bearded Hockey Ads

Visa Playoff Beard Campaign Integrates Fans in the NHL 2012 Season

The Visa Playoff Beard ad campaign depicts die-hard hockey fans in an awkward family photo in anticipation for the NHL 2012 season. Inspired by the hype around the discovery of awkward family photos, Visa has challenged this thought by pursuing the combination of this and the beloved playoff beard. The playoff beard is sported by NHL players and fans once their team has entered the playoff season. Beards are then grown out until the team is kicked out of the series by losing a maximum of four games in a seven game set.

Visa is a sponser of the NHL 2012 season and consistently humors spectators in hilarious advertisements. This year is no exception and draws on the admiration of the sport.

Visa Sponsorship Campaigns
Exploring unique methods to promote sponsorship with humor and relatable social media content
Integration of Fan Culture
Developing campaigns that involve and incorporate the fans/fan culture of a particular sport or industry
Use of Awkward Humor
Employing awkward humor as a means of marketing to help generate engagement and brand awareness

Sectors Adopting This

Sports Sponsorship
Incorporating fan culture in marketing campaigns, especially those that require support from social media
Social Media Marketing
Exploring how companies can use social media more effectively to engage with their target market and boost brand recognition
Advertising and Public Relations
Helping clients use innovative forms of marketing, such as humor and branded media content, to draw attention and gain valuable exposure
SCORE
3.8 out of 10
GENDER
70% Men30% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 35%
Activity 70%
Freshness 8%

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