March Madness is right around the corner, and much like every year, the excitement is not restricted to the hard courts. Every year, advertisers pull out all the stops to create some of the greatest commercials and campaigns that the world has ever seen.
This year is no different. With ad sales nearly hitting the $1 billion mark, brands are looking to get the prime spots during the tournament. In fact, CBS and TNT Sports have already sold out most of their inventory!
Now, with the March Madness commercials coming in yet again, let’s take a look at the 10 most iconic ads of all time!
A Look Back at the 10 Best March Madness Ads
10. Coca-Cola’s ‘The Journey’
Coca-Cola has perfected the craft of making moments memorable over the years. And the 2018 “The Journey” campaign was no different. The campaign had commemorative NCAA-branded bottles, a digital loyalty program, and the “March Madness Bracket Refresh” to give the audience an immersive experience. To add on, they had Maroon 5 and Imagine Dragons headlining the March Madness Music Festival.
Meanwhile, Powerade reinforced Coca-Cola’s presence as the NCAA’s official sports drink. This campaign also included outdoor ads, on-campus events, and even a new slogan, “Now That’s Some Kind of Power.” They made sure that March Madness was about shared experiences that lasted beyond the final buzzer.
9. AT&T’s ‘Just OK Is Not OK’
AT&T’s “Just OK Is Not OK” campaign became an instant classic during the 2019 NCAA March Madness tournament. It managed to turn the phrase into a rallying cry for both basketball fans and wireless customers alike.
The campaign had parodies of halftime analysis shows and other sports-related scenarios that simply put forth the thought that being “just OK” is not good enough. The ad became a fan favorite for its relatability as well as humor because, let’s face it, in March Madness, just OK never cuts it.
8. Capital One’s ‘Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee’ Campaign
This perhaps was one of the best March Madness campaigns ever made. Capital One’s Road Trip series shows Charles Barkley, Samuel L. Jackson, and Spike Lee on their ever so hilarious adventures.
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Since 2014, the trio’s road trip sagas filled with wrong turns, debating nicknames, and accidental blackouts have been a tournament staple. Some of the clips even have cameos from legends like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
7. Wendy’s – Get Hype
Wendy’s tapped into the chaos of March Madness to the fullest extent with their “Get Hype” campaign. They offered a deal that fans could not resist. If fans ordered through the Wendy’s app, they would get a $1 single cheeseburger and a $2 double cheeseburger.
To add on, they had Darude’s iconic techno hit “Sandstorm” as their soundtrack for the ads. The combination of sports hype, a limited-time deal, and a cult-favorite song made this campaign a slam dunk for fast-food fans.
6. Jersey Mike’s – Rewriting an Anthem with Danny DeVito
With this campaign, Jersey Mike’s added their own twist to the classic Eye of the Tiger. They changed the lyrics to a more sandwich-friendly version, Arm of the Slicer.
In the ad, Danny DeVito played a passionate sandwich coach, training employees in the art of slicing and stacking the perfect sub. The catchy lyrics with a face like DeVito turned it into an instant favorite.
5. Pizza Hut – Serving Up Nostalgia with Mini Basketballs
This campaign was iconicity through and through. Pizza Hut took the world for a trip down memory lane by bringing back their beloved Mini Basketballs for March Madness.
For a limited period, fans could order the black-and-red basketballs, emblazoned with the classic slogan “Nobody Out Pizzas the Hut,” through the Pizza Hut website and app. Some pizza boxes even doubled as a mini hoop, letting fans shoot hoops while devouring their pizza.
4. LG – Raising Awareness with Student Athletes
LG took a journey down the meaningful approach road with their “Game 4 Good” campaign. They took the largest moment in basketball and decided to raise mental health awareness among student-athletes.
The campaign featured some of college basketball’s biggest names sharing their personal mental health journeys. Additionally, LG donated big sums to various student-athlete support organizations.
3. Uber Eats – Double the Madness with Leslie Jones
Uber Eats bought a Leslie Jones for their campaign titled Double the Madness. It revolved around the contrast between “2021 Leslie” and “2020 Leslie,” making fun of each other about the previous year’s tournament cancelation. Additionally, they had a Buy-One-Get-One deal on loaded tots, making it impossible to ignore.
2. Chili’s – Back at One with Brian McKnight
Chili’s decided to tap into nostalgia with their March Madness ad featuring 16-time Grammy nominee Brian McKnight. McKnight played a Chili’s waiter, serenading customers with an updated version of his hit Back at One to help them choose their meals.
1. Aflac – Coaching with Legends
Aflac’s March Madness ad featured the iconic coach Coach K, aka Mike Krzyzewski, and Dawn Staley, alongside their famous Aflac duck.
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The campaign ad revolved around Aflac’s supplemental insurance while leveraging the credibility and star power of the two coaching icons. With Coach K, this campaign was simply unforgettable.
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