ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service, full with an enhanced ESPN app, debuts on Aug. 21. So to advertise the platform, the sports activities community has deliberate a totally built-in, expansive advertising and marketing marketing campaign that features model collaborations, immersive activations, digital experiences, and even John Cena.
As well as, Aug. 21 is turning into “Nationwide ESPN App Day,” per the Nationwide Day Archives, to acknowledge the launch. (Nobody inform Fox One, which can also be launching the identical day.)
A Model new app
Within the rollout, ESPN is collaborating with manufacturers together with Advanced, Lyft, Samsung, and extra, whereas working intently with Publicis on media planning.
The model collaborations associate with a brand new product design that appears to “serve sports activities followers, anytime, wherever,” Jo Fox, svp, advertising and marketing, ESPN, stated in a press release.
“Simply as our new all-in-one DTC providing and enhanced ESPN app immerses followers with the sports activities, fantasy video games, content material, and evaluation they love wherever they go, our marketing campaign immerses followers with the ESPN model they know and love however in a brand new, shocking, and interactive means,” Fox added. “From streets to shops to airports, trains, subways, and extra, that is ESPN such as you’ve by no means skilled it earlier than, and we are able to’t wait.”
John Cena, Stephen A. Smith lead the marketing campaign
It’s been a busy summer time for John Cena, who simply got here off an look at WWE SummerSlam and is gearing up for the premiere of HBO Max’s Peacemaker later this week. On prime of that, Cena can also be the face of ESPN’s marketing campaign, which options the wrestler-turned-actor as an brisk coach educating followers about all of the options on the ESPN DTC platform, in addition to what followers must know in regards to the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle.
Cena can also be accompanied by ESPN’s first mascot, App-E, in addition to Sew and Stewie Griffin as Disney+ and Hulu’s group captains, with spots rolling out over the subsequent few months.
ESPN additionally partnered with New York Metropolis’s MTA, particularly with the E prepare as a play on the “E” in ESPN, which shall be decked out and wrapped with ESPN branding starting Aug. 21. Riders ready on the Spring Avenue station platform can count on to listen to particular bulletins narrated by ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith.