Hoop Mania: Assignments for March Madness

Each of the assignments in the bundle includes the following sections: Assignment Overview Assignment Objectives What You’ll Do (directions for students) Options for Deliverables (three options, one requires the use of "technology") What to Include How You’ll Be Graded (Rubric) Key Sports Marketing Terms to Know Deadline & Submission Tips for Success Here is the list of assignments included in this bundle: Marketing & Branding Focus Sponsorship Strategy Analysis – Identify major sponsors of March Madness and analyze their marketing strategies, effectiveness, and target audience alignment. Social Media Engagement Report – Track and analyze how brands engage with fans during the tournament. Which platforms are most effective, and what types of content get the highest engagement? March Madness Advertising Breakdown – Compare and contrast TV, digital, and social media ads. Which brands invest the most, and how do their messages differ across platforms? Brand Partnership Pitch – Develop a pitch for a new brand partnership with the NCAA or a specific team. What value does the partnership offer, and how should it be marketed? Influencer & Athlete Marketing Strategy – Explore the role of athletes and influencers in March Madness promotions. How do NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals impact brand marketing? Consumer Behavior & Engagement Fan Engagement Study – Survey or analyze how different demographics engage with the tournament (e.g., casual fans vs. die-hard supporters). How do behaviors differ based on media consumption habits? Bracket Challenge Marketing Analysis – Examine how companies like ESPN, CBS, or Yahoo use bracket challenges to increase brand engagement and customer loyalty. Psychology of March Madness Marketing – Discuss how urgency, FOMO (fear of missing out), and emotional storytelling are used to drive consumer action. Sales & Revenue-Focused Assignments Ticket Sales & Pricing Strategy – Analyze ticket pricing trends for different rounds of the tournament and how supply and demand impact pricing. Merchandising & Apparel Marketing Plan – Develop a marketing strategy for an apparel brand launching a special-edition March Madness merchandise line. Sponsorship ROI Analysis – Choose a brand that sponsors March Madness and evaluate its return on investment using marketing metrics and financial performance. Digital & Emerging Marketing Trends Data-Driven Marketing & March Madness – Explore how AI and analytics help brands and teams personalize their marketing campaigns during the tournament. The Role of Streaming vs. Traditional TV Advertising – Compare viewership trends between cable TV and streaming platforms. How are advertisers adapting to this shift? Guerilla & Viral Marketing Case Study – Find examples of brands using unconventional or viral marketing tactics related to March Madness.