NBA Draft Sponsorship Activation Requires Arena Integration

At least 16 league marketing partners have stepped up around the NBA draft Thursday night at the Barclays Center. Among the highlights:

state farm (representing partner):

• Joint event logo
• NBA TV commercials will run before and during the draft
• Significant presence on NBA.com including logo inclusion
• Show partners integration project
• The sound of the “choice is ready” bell inside the arena will be the ringing of the state farm.

American Express (hotel partner):

• Hosting an exclusive Draft ’22 Experience for 150 guests
• Cardholders will receive group photos during the draft stage and then attend a pre-draft reception in the Qatar Airways Lounge featuring Pelicans G. CJ McCollum
• They will have their draft viewing slots reserved and receive the New Era Draft Hat.

new era (representing the sponsor of the red carpet):

• Inclusion of the logo on the red carpet
• A custom red carpet cap to showcase all 30 New Era team caps.
• Red carpet extension to arena show
• Opportunity for 10 NBA Draft Jr NBA Clinic kids to walk the red carpet leading out the inductees
• New Era hat pedestal on stage with the current team’s draft hat on the clock.
• Team hat creative will be included in draft stage graphics
• The New Era is eligible for inductees for the Official Draft Hat from the special New Era gift set.

Google (advertising partner):

• Arena run space at the jumbotron during the arena pre-draft show
• A place on the NBA Social Media Circuit for draftees who are Google endorsers to take a selfie after being drafted on a Google Pixel 6 phone.

Panini (advertising partner):

• Panini to create autograph and memorabilia station for media recruits

Wilson (advertising partner):

• Arena run seat on video board during arena pre-show
• Wilson’s basketball will be the centerpiece of all tables in the dressing room of the inductees
• Wilson will donate private dormitory suites to inductees, which will be open to inductees today and Wednesday.

AT&T (all of the following are associate partners):

• Signage in place
• An AT&T arena run reel on a video board during the arena pre-show

blows:

• Signage in place
• Pre-integration of show partners – DJ cam
• Each conscript receives a pair of earphones upon arrival to the room.

DraftKings:

• Signage in place
• Pre-integration of show partners – Fan Cam

gatorade:

• Four ‘ice’ barrels of product in place next to the media and press conference room.
• Signage in place
• Draft partner integration – place to play before the draft

kia:

• Signage in place
• Draft Partner Integration – Kia NBA Awards Discussions, Rookie of the Year
• Exterior view of the EV6 car in the plaza at the main entrance to the Barclays Center

Meta quest:

• Meta will get signage in place
• Show Partner Integration Project – Johnny Davis VR Headset Video, Fan VR Headset Giveaway
• The Meta will gift each recruit a virtual headset across the room prior to arrival.

Mich Ultra:

• Signage in place
• The Michelob Ultra Courtside Fan Deck will offer 20 guests a unique vantage point between the ESPN and NBA stages.
• Show Project Partner Integration – Draft Fashion Look Back Video in Drip Cam

Nike:

• Signage in place
• Draft Partner Integration – Nike Notable Picks

Tissot:

• Branding on draft watches
• Signage in place
• Draft Show Partner Integration – Tissot: 24 Challenge (draftees will be interviewed by the host about their new city/team)

Yahoo Sports:

• Signage in place
• Integration with draft partners – a place that will be replicated before the draft.