World Cup Fever

Even if you have no interest in soccer, you have to be hiding in a cave not to have heard all the hoopla about the World Cup Soccer event that is currently taking place in South Africa.  I thought it would be interesting to see what new marketing strategies are being used by different organizations to capitalize on this exciting global event.

So, here goes an eclectic collection of marketing strategies that use the World Cup event as their platform:

Soccer e-game to debut at World Cup.  Student-designed for soccer minded boys 8-15 around the world.  Interesting fact: It is heavily promoted by the United Nations for its persuasive subtext: preventing violence against women.

Hyundai Ties Passion of Soccer Fans to Owner Loyalty in FIFA Advertising Blitz.  Interesting fact: This year, Hyundai became number one in customer loyalty. The blitz  ties in to the FIFA World Cup with its great height of fan passion and loyalty on a global scale.

Marketers in Warm-Up for World Cup. See the lengthy list of blue-chip sponsors who are capitalizing on the excitement and frenzy of the World Cup.

World Cup Battle: Nike versus Adidas.  Two major shoe companies have much at stake as World Cup soccer play begins. Nike, which made deals with Brazilian stars, is trying to put a dent in Adidas’ long-standing dominance of the soccer market.

World Cup Sponsor Sony Ericsson Shuns Traditional Marketing for Social Media/Twitter. Believes interaction through social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook are the best and most intimate ways of reaching out to the fan.

Visa launches YouTube Channel to host FIFA World Cup. the exclusive card of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM), has created a Go Fans YouTube channel enabling soccer fans to express their true colors in support of their national teams by viewing, uploading and sharing videos capturing creative, entertaining, passionate or humorous goal calls.

So, as a marketer, when you look at this diversity and innovation and creativity, I hope you are thinking – there’s no better time to be a marketer!  I know I am.

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