The NFL season has officially begun with the preseason, but Week 1 is just two weeks away. The question every business and brand should be addressing right now isn’t just the games to build around, it’s making sure you know what to say since the marks are protected. This week, we’re going to tackle (all pun intended) that and of course, highlight the events still worth building around.

Every Fall, brands are looking to attach their name to the NFL as it produces some of the largest economic impact year-over-year. The same brands also want to grow reach through language or imagery that may belong to the league like “NFL”, “Super Bowl”, team names, helmet designs, etc. - all of which are licensed property, and the NFL’s IP enforcement is one of the most sophisticated. Let’s make sure you aren’t on the wrong side of the negative effects of this as a local business, creator or brand.

So, what’s the workaround? It’s not a trick, it’s the challenge to empower you to lean into your already existing brand, and combining that with the city you support, the occasion you’re promoting, and the game day economy that comes from your local stadium.

Here’s what you can actually work with: “Watch party” or “Watch the season opener at [your venue]”. “Football is back in [city]” or “Join us for game day”. Just examples, but the overall rule is simple: to describe what’s happening around an event or an overall experience for you and others. And for those of you are a licensed brand or business with the league or affiliate team, confirm your licensing requirements as soon as possible to make sure you’re in the clear.

With a combination of college football, baseball and professional football, the Miami market will have three distinct audience cultures with heightened attendance through brand loyalty over the next month.

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Stack against the three audiences. Whether you’re a local business, partner, or content creator the audience profile to build around right now is fan loyalty. This time of the year is heavily influenced with rivalry fans, late-season baseball, and legacy alumni. You can own the conversation and travelers agenda through audience targets and exclusive events or specials.

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HBCU football is growing in South Florida. With multiple games taking place in the South Florida market in September and October, leading into Homecoming season. This alumni and fans are showing over-indexes on apparel and hospitality - this is an opportunity to grow your brand and in a local community space with the right intention.

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Build a Sprint content strategy. You can’t be everything to everyone but you can create a multi-event publishing narrative. You have windows open right now for sprint content strategies of 10-day to two week flights, and others of up to 6 weeks. Each post can feed the next, and your consumer base will reward you with sustained engagement over isolated spikes.

What events are you building towards this Fall - HBCU football, Postseason baseball, NFL, or something else? Reply and tell us. We read every one.

You read to the bottom. That means this week you’ve prepped, but you still need to win your matchup. Invoid helps brands, businesses, and creatives turn intelligence like this into activation that actually converts - newly creative, not replicated.

Reply to this email and let's figure out what that looks like for you.

Always remember, Be Boundless.

The Invoid Team 🔮