# Playoff Beard-Embracing Ads This McDonald's Beard Ad Supports the the NHL 2015 Season By Ady Floyd | Published 2015-06-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nhl-2015-season References: [adsoftheworld](http://adsoftheworld.com/media/outdoor/mcdonalds_playoff_beard) & [nhl](http://www.nhl.com/ice/stanleycup.htm) The [McDonald's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1) playoff beard ad campaign features its classic yellow smile accompanied by a black five o'clock shadow in support for the [NHL](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-clips1) 2015 season. The Stanley Cup playoffs are in full swing and McDonald's is showing its support with this humorous billboard. Players and fans alike participate in an unwritten ritual of growing a playoff beard. The beards are grown throughout the season and represent the length of time a fan's team remains in the competitive standings of the NHL. This bright red billboard is a simple design with a black beard, a yellow smile and on the bottom left corner the billboard reads "Go Blackhawks." McDonald's grew its own playoff beard to support their hometown team, The [Chicago Blackhawks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lululemon-4) in the NHL 2015 season. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 87% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Playoff Beard-embracing Ads:** Opportunity for brands to create ads and campaigns that connect with sports fans through the tradition of growing playoff beards. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Advertising:** Advertising agencies can capitalize on this trend by developing creative and engaging ads that incorporate playoff beards. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hockey Rivalry Burger Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/showdown-menu.md) - [Hair Salon-Powered Sports Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/great-clips1.md) - [Game Day QSR Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qsr-deal.md) - [Humorous Star-Studded Chip Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-of-the-mustaches.md) - [Unique Real Facial Hair Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollar-shave-club1.md) - [March Madness Chip Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pringles-march-mustache-collection.md) - [Fan-Focused Hockey Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-espn-chirpline.md) - [Celebratory Basketball QSR Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-up-your-dunk-game-playbook.md) - [Playful QSR Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mcdonalds-campaign-1.md)