T-Mobile taps into NFL hype as top sponsor of George Kittle series

Dive Temporary: 

• T-Cell has signed because the presenting sponsor of “Kittle Issues,” a brand new collection from sports activities leisure platform DAZN and Group Whistle, its social-first publishing arm, Advertising Dive can completely share.  
• “Kittle Issues” is hosted by San Francisco 49ers tight finish George Kittle and his spouse, Claire, an entrepreneur, as they share their hobbies and passions alongside visitors. Manufacturers together with Little Caesars, Lysol and PrizePicks have additionally joined as phase sponsors for a collection of episodes. 
• Episodes will likely be accessible on DAZN, a devoted YouTube channel and throughout Spotify and Apple Podcasts, along with “Kittle Issues” and Group Whistle’s social channels. The sponsorship sees T-Cell align nearer to athlete influencers as extra sports activities professionals get into producing social content material. 

Dive Perception: 

T-Cell is kicking off the NFL season as presenting sponsor of “Kittle Issues,” an unique collection from DAZN. This system was created in partnership with George and Claire Kittle’s newly created Exhale Concern Productions. Linking itself to the candid collection might assist T-Cell increase model loyalty, with 91% of shoppers serious about attending to know athletes off the sector and 87% desirous to view exhibits that highlight athletes and their companions, per DAZN and Group Whistle analysis.

“We’re dedicated to creating premium, social-first sports activities leisure that resonates with followers past the sector,” stated Dustin Fleischman, govt vp of income and model technique at Group Whistle. “This collaboration underscores our mission to attach manufacturers and followers by way of storytelling that’s each relatable, differentiated, and culturally related.”

Every episode of “Kittle Issues” features a central theme — from “The Lord of the Rings” lore to Name of Responsibility marathons — and discussions with athletes, celebrities and pop-culture icons. Stars George and Claire Kittle may also share an inside have a look at the “little issues” that make life really feel huge, together with their passions and hobbies. Past presenting sponsor T-Cell, the collection has phase sponsorships with Little Caesars, sports activities leisure model PrizePicks and Lysol, offering one other touchpoint for manufacturers to succeed in shoppers.

T-Cell has been ramping up advertising exercise, with different current strikes together with a nationwide marketing campaign starring actor Kevin Bacon in help of its new SuperMobile enterprise cellphone plan. Earlier this 12 months, the corporate acquired digital out-of-home media firm Vistar Media for about $600 million by way of its T-Cell Promoting Options enterprise, a deal that demonstrates its dedication to increasing its advert ambitions.

Different manufacturers have teamed with DAZN and Group Whistle to faucet into sports activities hype. In August, White Fortress Frozen Meals introduced it would function the official collection sponsor of a podcast targeted on identify, picture and likeness rights hosted by faculty soccer standout Caleb Downs and his brother, Josh Downs, an NFL huge receiver. Final 12 months, dishwasher detergent model End linked with the leisure firm round its “House Group” collection.