Chipotle Partners with USC Women’s Basketball for NIL Deal
Chipotle has officially entered into its first-ever Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with the University of Southern California’s women’s basketball team, with All-American guard JuJu Watkins joining the partnership. The collaboration will see the USC women’s team promote Chipotle’s marketing initiatives during the 2024-2025 season. As part of the agreement, all 15 student-athletes will receive VIP cards for free Chipotle meals, plus, the players’ favorite orders will be featured as exclusive digital menu items on the Chipotle app and website, including Watkins fave, a chicken, white rice, fajita veggie, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guac bowl.
Watkins said, “We’re always training hard and staying active, so having a meal option that’s both delicious and packed with protein is perfect for recovering after workouts. Chipotle is also a great spot for the team to bond. It’s super convenient being so close to our practice facility, making it an easy go-to for us to grab a quick meal together and connect.”
The collaboration is part of Chipotle’s “Real Food for Real Athletes” initiative, which strives to provide athletes with nutritious meals to support their performance. Chipotle’s commitment to supporting athletes with fresh ingredients has previously seen the brand partner with U.S. Olympic athletes, the U.S. men’s and women’s soccer teams, and student-athletes at Ohio State University.
Watch this Instagram Reel to see JuJu Watkins at her best on the courts: https://www.instagram.com/jujubballin/reel/C-5a-ZOP_mW/?hl=en
Great Clips Extends Partnership with College Football Playoff for Multi-Year Sponsorship
Hair salon brand Great Clips is renewing its partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP) as its Official Hair Salon Sponsor. The multi-year collaboration is in partnership with Disney Advertising, and Great Clips will receive exclusive marketing rights for key CFP events, including the New Year’s Six and Championship Weekend. The agreement offers enhanced brand visibility through CFP and ESPN promotional campaigns and the opportunity to enhance the fan experience at events such as Playoff Fan Central.
Great Clips, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Hockett said, “We’re thrilled to extend our multi-year relationship with Disney Advertising to become the Official Hair Salon Sponsor of the College Football Playoff. There are so many people that make college football what it is today - from the players to the coaches, fans, mascots, cheerleaders, band members, and broadcasters – and Great Clips is proud to help each and every one of them look their best with great haircuts as they get ready for the biggest stage and special moments.”
To kick off the 2024 College Football Playoff season, Great Clips launched a new national TV commercial campaign dubbed “We’re All In,” which began airing on December 7 across ESPN and ABC. The commercial emphasizes how Great Clips helps everyone across the college football community get ready for the big games with affordable haircuts. Featuring ESPN’s Jesse Palmer and popular influencer Natalie Rose, the ad also highlights the convenience of the Great Clips app. The “We’re All In” campaign will be further supported by NIL partnerships with prominent college football players and influencers from various backgrounds, including a podcast hosts, drum major, and fans, who will share their Great Clips experiences across social media.
Watch this engaging YouTube video promoting the Great Clips' sponsorship and partnership with the College Football Playoff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-AuqJ1qVN8
Albertsons DTC Wine Platform Enhances Wine Shopping Experience With AI-Powered Personalization
Albertsons has introduced a more personalized shopping experience for wine, spirits, and food through its direct-to-consumer platform, Vine & Cellar Reserve. The platform, powered by Preferabli’s advanced AI-driven software, offers tailored product discovery and recommendations. The platform is available to customers in California who shop at Albertsons, Pavilions, Safeway, and Vons. It showcases wines based on taste characteristics and makes recommendations on food pairings. Wine options range from budget-friendly bottles priced at $10 to high-end selections exceeding $1,000.
Albertsons Group Vice President of Alcohol and Master of Wine Curtis Mann said, “By partnering with Preferabli, we’re helping customers receive personalized recommendations based on their individual preferences, learn about the wines they are considering, and ultimately, find and discover new wines.”
The integration of Preferabli’s technology allows Vine & Cellar Reserve to utilize a detailed database of hundreds of wine attributes, helping customers explore wines that align with their personal preferences. Albertsons' partnership with Preferabli reflects a growing trend among retailers to use AI for more effective product discovery and enhanced customer experiences.
View the Preferabli press release on the integration into Vine & Celler Reserve here: https://cdn.preferabli.com/press-releases/2024-12-10-Preferabli-Vine-Cellar-Press-Release.pdf
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Original Article Links:
Chipotle signs first team NIL deal with USC women’s basketball
Great Clips® Solidifies Position as Official Hair Salon Sponsor of the College Football Playoff Through Multi-Year Relationship with Disney Advertising
Albertsons serves up AI-driven personalization for alcohol and food