As I’ve talked about before, I’m a big believer in the power of video to tell a story. It conveys emotion so well— whether it is nostalgia, humor, happiness, awe or humor. And, emotion compels fans and consumers to pay attention and share.
Not only does good video content resonate with fans, but nearly every social media platform supports video in some form or fashion. It should be an important piece to your content strategy.
It’s been awhile since I did a video roundup, so I’ve compiled a list of videos from the past month or so to serve as some inspiration for your content. Whether it’s an emotional hype video or just an interesting piece of content, I’m sure something will inspire you in your work. Enjoy.
Gatorade- We Love Sweat
Michael Jordan and Gatorade salute sweat in this awesome spot. Not just any kind of sweat though, the kind that makes us stronger. The song and Jordan’s voice make a great statement. It’s a great spot that should appeal well to their target demographic.
Vanderbilt- #StarPower
Vanderbilt released a new brand campaigned called #StarPower. And, they nailed it. The campaign taps into the vibrant nature of their city, campus, athletics, academics and the SEC Conference. The cadence of the music and imagery is spot on, and in just a mere minute the video gives a great idea of what it means to be a Vanderbilt student-athlete.
More teams, leagues and athletic departments need to think about launching brand campaigns like this. Tell the full story.
Auburn- Sports Collide
Auburn showed fans what happens when student-athletes try other sports. The series is a great example of unique and humorous content that helps to humanize.
Atlanta Hawks- Thank you, Believers
It’s really important to thank you fans during seasons of highs and seasons of lows. This video from the Atlanta Hawks is a great example of how to say “thank you” to your fans through video content. It’s an emotional season recap that salutes that ones that supported them.
UGA- The Georgia Way, Spring Edition
UGA Athletics’ video department is one of the best, hands down. They consistently nail video storytelling that taps into the tradition and passion of their school and athletic department in an emotional way. They don’t just focus on the field, but they focus on the story. This spring video is a great example.
South Carolina- Here
South Carolina is continuing to roll out content for their strong brand campaign, “Here”. The campaign is bigger than just football and athletics; it’s about the culture of the Gamecock family and the commonality that ties them all together. Read about the campaign here.
Their recent videos from the campaign are a great example of what it means to tell a strong story. Again, emotion is so important.
DICK’s Sporting Goods- Who Will You Be?
This spot is DICK’s first spot aimed directly at women. It’s an inspiration ad that’s extremely well done (emotion, emotion, emotion):
Under Armour- Steph Curry, MVP
This is a great example of how a strong voiceover can make a big impact. A simple video that still leaves a lasting impression. This congratulations message from Under Armour to Steph Curry is well done.
Arizona- The Force Awakens
Arizona found a creative way to sell tickets and jump on the Stars War bandwagon. This video is a great example of creatively leveraging a trending topic and selling creatively (in a way that fans care):
NBC Sports- Kiss
Sometimes all you need is a good song, nostalgic footage and a great tradition. This spot from NBC sports is simple, sweet and fantastic.
Chicago Blackhawks- #WhatsYourGoal
In the beginning of the year the Chicago Blackhawks asked fans to send in their goals using #WhatsYourGoal. The Blackhawks didn’t just listen though, they personally made sure that some of the goals were achieved and captured. Here’s a great example of one of the goals achieved and the video they created to tell the story.
This is a great example of giving back to the community and telling the emotional story that comes with it.
Brooklyn Nets- How to Dominate H.O.R.S.E.
Not all content has to be serious. Have some fun! In this video, Jason Sudeikis shows fans how to dominate a game of H.O.R.S.E. This is a great way to humanize a player, while adding in a little humor to the content mix.
NHL- Name
Such a powerful hype video. Period.
MLB- Field of Dreams Speech
In this video, MLB stars recite James Earl Jones’ epic “baseball” speech from “Field of Dreams”. This is such a unique, emotional piece of content that can tug at fans’ love for nostalgia. A great example of creative thinking!
US Soccer- Roster Video Cards
This is a unique way to highlight players on a roster. The content would be good to cross promote on Twitter or even upload to Instagram.
Oregon- Thank you, Marcus
Oregon nailed this tribute to Marcus Mariota. The video does a great job showcasing his character and his legacy. This is powerful scripting from the Ducks.
Nike Soccer- American Woman
Nike could not have picked a more perfect ballad for this spot. Just watch and enjoy.
American East Conference- 2015 Season Highlight
This is a great example from the American East Conference on how athletic departments and conferences can wrap up a year with season highlights. A strong compilation!
Ole Miss Softball- The Season
This is a more long-form video from Ole Miss, and a great example of how to tell the story of a whole season. It features behind-the-scenes footage as well as game footage.
Have you seen any videos lately that caught your eye? If so, share the link below!
Thanks for reading!
