How the NFL harnesses the power of emotion to drive record audiences - Tim Ellis & Glenn Cole
Oct 2, 2024
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Tim Ellis, the NFL's CMO, and Glenn Cole, co-founder of 72andSunny, dive into how the NFL drives record audiences through emotional storytelling. They reveal the secrets of a powerful agency-client partnership and the strategy behind iconic Super Bowl campaigns. The duo discusses the Taylor Swift effect and how personal profiles of players foster deeper connections with fans. They also explore the surge of flag football and the NFL's commitment to growth, both nationally and internationally, embracing inclusivity and engaging young audiences.
Tim Ellis emphasizes that deep, transparent agency-client relationships foster creativity and effective communication, leading to outstanding work.
The 'helmets off' strategy showcases NFL players' personal stories, humanizing them and enhancing emotional connections with fans.
The NFL aims to grow its audience internationally through inclusive initiatives like flag football, appealing to diverse demographics and promoting accessibility.
Deep dives
Tim Ellis's Career Journey
Tim Ellis discusses his unconventional career path, which began in acting before shifting to the advertising industry. His varied experiences, from working in a theater to handling oil rigs, contributed to a unique perspective on creativity and branding. Transitioning to advertising allowed him to merge his passion for creativity with client-side challenges, ultimately leading him to become the CMO for the NFL. His time at Activision, particularly with the Call of Duty franchise, provided invaluable insights and relationships, including his partnership with Glenn Cole.
Building Strong Agency-Client Relationships
Ellis and Cole emphasize the importance of fostering deep, transparent relationships between agency and client. They believe that contrary to many transactional modern relationships, their collaboration is built on mutual trust and open communication. This dynamic encourages creative debates and the sharing of diverse perspectives, facilitating the production of outstanding work. Consistently engaging in this collaborative environment enables both parties to effectively articulate their vision and produce impactful creative outcomes.
Helmets Off Strategy for Human Connection
The concept of a 'helmets off' strategy emerged as a way to humanize NFL players, showing their emotions and personal stories beyond their athletic prowess. This approach allows fans to connect with players on a more relatable level, presenting them as multifaceted individuals rather than mere athletes. By showcasing these personal stories, the NFL has successfully softened its image and made the sport more appealing. This strategic shift encourages a deeper emotional engagement with audiences, elevating the league's overall branding.
Creativity and Consistency in Marketing
Ellis and Cole stress the significance of creativity in marketing, noting that consistent messaging builds stronger relationships with audiences. They maintain that successful campaigns reflect an authentic brand identity while remaining emotionally engaging. With ample data suggesting that brands must resonate with their customers emotionally, they cite the importance of fostering an environment where creative risks can be taken. This consistency not only bolsters brand loyalty but also ensures the messaging evolves without alienating audiences.
Engaging Broader Audiences Through Inclusivity
The NFL is focused on expanding its reach by introducing flag football and other inclusive initiatives, targeting diverse demographics. Recognizing the passion for football in various countries, including efforts in England and Brazil, the league emphasizes its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. This approach includes promoting both male and female athletes, showcasing talents that contribute to the sport at all levels. Efforts like featuring real players in campaigns further amplify this goal, ensuring that football is recognized as a game for everyone.
The NFL is one of the biggest sporting entities in the world and it's reaching the biggest audiences it ever has. So in this episode, I'm joined by their CMO Tim Ellis, and Glenn Cole, co-founder of 72andSunny, their agency partner. We talk about the secrets behind a successful 7 year agency-client relationship, how to consistently make groundbreaking, emotional work, and what it takes to create a leading Super Bowl campaign.
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Tim Ellis career journey 01:51 - How Tim met Glenn from 72andSunny 04:20 - Secret to a successful client agency relationship 08:21 - The compounding effect of a long term agency relationship 11:51 - Helmets off strategy 15:09 - You can’t make this stuff up campaign 17:40 - This is Football Country campaign 24:41 - Growing the audience for the NFL 27:22 - The Taylor Swift effect 34:32 - The growth of flag Football 39:30 - Growing the sport internationally 42:35 - How to make a great Super Bowl ad 49:07 - The power of emotion in advertising
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