Athlete-Backed Beverage Campaigns

PepsiCo and NFL Players Debut 'Tailgate Crashers'

PepsiCo is launching a new marketing campaign titled 'Tailgate Crashers,' which features prominent National Football League players Josh Allen and Justin Jefferson.

The central concept of this campaign involves the athletes, depicted in Pepsi-branded attire, making unannounced appearances at pre-game fan gatherings in stadium parking lots across the United States to distribute PepsiCo products. As such, the venture generates excitement and a sense of exclusive opportunity for fans of the NFL. The campaign will be further supported through television commercials, online content, and social media engagement throughout the professional football season.

'Tailgate Crashers' is an extension of the company's broader 'Food Deserves Pepsi' marketing platform, which posits that the beverage is an essential complement to various foods, particularly those associated with outdoor grilling and casual dining.

Image Credit: PepsiCo

Athlete-driven Marketing
Prominent athletes are being utilized as dynamic brand ambassadors, creating a unique opportunity to reach dedicated fan bases through authentic, surprise interactions.
Event-based Engagement
Brands are engaging consumers directly at live events, fostering an environment of immediacy and excitement that builds stronger brand loyalty.
Social Media Amplification
Campaigns are leveraging social media platforms to amplify reach and engagement, generating buzz and extending the lifespan of marketing initiatives.

Who This Affects Most

Sports Marketing
The collaboration between beverage companies and major sports leagues presents an innovative platform for expanding audience reach through targeted campaigns.
Beverage Industry
Integrating products into lifestyle events, such as tailgating, aligns beverages with cultural moments, enhancing brand relevance and consumer connection.
Digital Advertising
Strategically incorporating athletes in digital content approaches enhances storytelling capabilities and taps into diverse audience segments.
SCORE
6.7 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 69%
Activity 73%
Freshness 60%

Solutions for innovators working at the edge of change. We help transform emerging ideas into practical, durable solutions by combining strategic thinking, creative exploration, and hands-on execution.

Trends © 2026 Trend Hunter Inc. All Rights Reserved.
LinkedIn Instagram X