The NHL season is a spectacle, and the Stanley Cup playoffs, a fever pitch of excitement. For brands, this period presents a great opportunity to connect with passionate fans. But how can you cut through the digital noise and truly make an impact? The answer lies in the power of out-of-home advertising. OOH, with its wide reach and high visibility, can amplify the thrill of the NHL season. Here's how brands can leverage OOH to score big:
1. Building Pre-Season Buzz:
While we're already in the thick of playoffs, it's never too early to start planning for next year. Before the puck drops, generate anticipation with impactful OOH campaigns. Teams can use large scale OOH like spectaculars or billboards to showcase team rosters or new player acquisitions, pre-season ticket packages and promotions, and countdown timers leading up to opening night. The opportunities are not just for teams themselves, but for any brand looking to reach hockey fans. Strategic placement near stadiums, sports bars, and high-traffic areas ensures maximum visibility, creating a sense of shared excitement. Creative that taps into the excitement of a hockey season still ahead can resonate with passionate fans.
2. Driving Game-Day Engagement:
On game days, OOH can be a crucial touchpoint. Utilize transit advertising to reach fans commuting to the arena, restaurant and bar media where fans may be congregating to watch with friends or family, and experiential activations near arenas or high traffic areas where fans can enjoy custom experiences and maybe even win tickets to the game or branded merch. All of these touchpoints reinforce brand association with the thrill of hockey.
3. Capturing the Playoff Frenzy:
As the playoffs heat up, OOH becomes even more powerful. Dynamic digital OOH can display real-time scores, player stats, and even fan-generated content, creating a sense of community and shared experience. Leverage location-based targeting to reach fans in key markets, ensuring your message resonates with the most engaged audience.
4. Capitalizing on the Stanley Cup Hype:
The Stanley Cup Finals are the pinnacle of the NHL season, and OOH can play a significant role in capturing attention. Large-format OOH showcasing iconic moments or record-breaking achievements are sure to grab consumers' attention and may even lead to earned impressions on social media through shared fan photos. This is also a great time for brands to capitalize on fan excitement with sweepstakes or contests to encourage engagement. Brands can use OOH to spread the word and even use QR codes within the creative to encourage fans to learn more or enter to win tickets or merchandise.
5. Connecting with Fan Culture:
In order for brands to effectively reach hockey fans, the creative and messaging has to connect with the fan culture. Showcase fan art, highlight community initiatives, and celebrate beloved player achievements, and align with the passion that makes the NHL season so special. Utilize OOH to tell compelling stories that resonate with fans on an emotional level, building brand loyalty.
By strategically leveraging OOH, brands can tap into the passion and excitement surrounding the NHL season and Stanley Cup, creating memorable experiences that resonate with fans and drive meaningful engagement. From pre-season buzz to playoff frenzy, OOH offers a powerful platform to connect with hockey fans.