Infographic Overview: This infographic explores the most popular food dishes for each fan base around the NFL, along with recipes for those of you looking for ideas for Super Bowl party snack ideas. It was posted by TitleMax at the start of the NFL season (another opportunity to discuss the concept of marketing through sports).

While an infographic that features tailgating recipes may not seem to tie directly with some of our core marketing concepts, it could make for a fun way to discuss important sports business topics like advertising and sponsorship.

You might also consider aligning this activity with any post-Super Bowl discussion relating to ads students viewed leading up to and during the game.

Curriculum Connection:

Teacher Note:  Use this infographic as an opportunity to engage students in a fun activity.  Ideas are listed below in the student discussion.

• Lesson 1.2 – Fandom
• Lesson 4.3 – Target Market
• Lesson 4.4 – Market Segmentation
• Lesson 6.1 – Branding
• Lesson 6.2 / 6.3 – Licensing & Licensing Process
• Lesson 8.1 – Sponsorship
• Lesson 8.4 – Ambush Marketing

Student Discussion:

1. Based on information from this infographic, what might marketers assume about the demographics of NFL fans?
2. How might this give you some insight into the types of companies that might advertise during the Super Bowl?
3. How might this give you some insight into the types of companies that might sponsor the NFL and or NFL teams?
4. After reviewing the infographic in class, split students into teams and have them create a Super Bowl commercial for a food brand (snack, soda, condiment etc) targeting NFL fans.
5. After reviewing the infographic in class, create a list of brands that might benefit from advertising during (or around) the Super Bowl.  Consider breaking the class into groups and assigning each conference to your student groups.  For example, group one would create a list of brands for the NFC East, group two for the NFC North etc.
6. After reviewing the infographic in class, create a list of brands that might benefit from a NFL sponsorship (LEAGUE sponsorship).  Introduce the concept of sponsorship activiation here (lesson 8.3 in SCC’s textbook) and have students come up with a plan for activating that sponsorship.
7. After reviewing the infographic in class, create a list of brands that might benefit from a NFL team sponsorship (sponsorship of a specific team…like a Chili brand for the Cowboys based on the recipe from the infographic).  Introduce the concept of sponsorship activiation here (lesson 8.3 in SCC’s textbook) and have students come up with a plan for activating that sponsorship.
8. Divide the class into teams.  Introduce the concept of ambush marketing (lesson 8.4 in SCC’s textbook) and ask each team to pick a food brand that might benefit from marketing activities at or around the Super Bowl, then come up with a creative ambush marketing campaign.  Have each team present their ideas in class.
9. Ask students to describe the concept of licensing.  Could they create a new tailgate item or branded item that represents their favorite team?  Would they need a license to do that?
10. Following the game, use this infographic to discuss the concept of marketing through sports and the marketing of sports.
11. After the game, make a list of food brands that DID advertise during or around the Super Bowl as a class activity.