5 Successful Non-Traditional Marketing Tactics: Barstool Sports Case Study

In the competitive world of marketing, it's becoming increasingly challenging for brands to stand out without spending millions on traditional marketing tactics. However, Barstool Sports, led by the infamous Dave Portnoy, has managed to create an empire and grow its fan base using unconventional methods. In this blog, we'll explore five unique marketing steps taken by Barstool Sports that have led to their incredible success.

Capitalize Your Content:

Barstool Sports has mastered the art of appealing to different demographics by offering a wide range of content. From podcasts like "Chicks in the Office" and "Pardon My Take" to pizza reviews and sports updates, Barstool ensures there's something for everyone. To emulate their success, other brands should focus on creating diverse content and targeting different platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. By giving everyone what they want, brands can attract a wider fan base and keep them engaged with quality content.

Social Media Affiliations:

While many brands use social media influencers to promote their products, Barstool Sports takes it a step further by establishing social media affiliations. They license their name to colleges across the country, allowing each campus to have its own unique Barstool social media channel. This strategy creates high fan engagement, giving fans a platform to connect and feel like a part of the brand. Brands looking to adopt social media campaigns should focus on creating avenues for fans to engage with one another and foster a sense of community.

Creating Publicity:

Barstool Sports founder, Dave Portnoy, is known for his controversial and comical attitude, which draws attention and free publicity for the brand. By engaging in public feuds and scandals, Portnoy has garnered significant media exposure. While controversial fights may not be suitable for all brands, driving traffic through free publicity is valuable. Brands should strive to create interesting and relatable figures associated with their company, allowing consumers to invest in their decisions and enjoy following their journey.

Merchandise Turnaround:

Merchandise can be a powerful tool for promoting a brand, and Barstool Sports excels at turning viral quotes and phrases into sellable products. They capitalize on trending topics by quickly creating relevant merchandise, prompting customers to make impulse purchases. Brands can adopt this strategy by using merchandise to spread marketing efforts and create new logos and memorable phrases. Barstool's "Saturday's Are For The Boys" flag serves as a prime example of how a single piece of merchandise can spark a viral term among a younger demographic.

Embrace Controversy:

Barstool Sports has fearlessly embraced controversy, which has contributed to their brand identity and fan loyalty. While not every brand should court controversy, finding ways to generate buzz and create a unique brand persona can be beneficial. By pushing boundaries, taking a stand, and showcasing authenticity, brands can captivate their audience and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Barstool Sports has achieved remarkable success by employing unconventional marketing tactics. By capitalizing on content, embracing social media affiliations, creating publicity, utilizing merchandise effectively, and daring to be controversial, they have created a media empire. Other brands can learn from Barstool's example and implement these non-traditional marketing tactics to stand out in today's crowded marketplace. Remember, marketing doesn't always have to be serious—it can be fun, audacious, and authentic, just like Barstool Sports.