Through two weeks of the 2017 NFL Playoffs, 87 NFL players have shared 110 sponsored tweets, mentioning 33 different brands. Compared to the 2016 playoffs, the number of sponsored tweets have decreased (150 in 2016), but the average engagement rate has nearly doubled from 0.56 percent in 2016 to 0.99 percent in 2017.
Tide continues to be the NFL’s most mentioned sponsor, receiving 20 mentions from players through their #OurColors campaign. Here are the top 5 most mentioned brands from the first two weeks of the 2017 NFL Playoffs:
NFL player tweets mentioning Tide have generated more than 56 thousand engagements, more than five times that of any other brand. New Era’s activation of Greg Olsen has generated 10.9 thousand retweets and likes, good for second. Here are the brands receiving the most engagements from NFL Player tweets:
When brands activate the right athlete, at the right time, with the right content, they are able to generate a high engagement rate, earning the most bang for their buck. When Dallas Cowboys star Lucky Whitehead mentioned Lucky Charms before week two of the Playoffs, he generated 3.4 thousand engagements, good for a 6.05 percent engagement rate. Here are the brands receiving the highest engagement rate during the NFL Playoffs, maximizing the value of their investment:
Big name NFL Players have been called on to push branded content during the NFL Playoffs. Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen and Miami Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi have both shared four sponsored tweets. Here are the most activated NFL Players and the brands they’ve mentioned:
Antonio Brown has single handedly generated over 20 thousand engagements for brands during the NFL Playoffs. Here are the athletes responsible for the most brand engagements:
Taylor Gabriel’s candid mention of EA Sports Madden NFL video game resulted in a 23.19 percent engagement rate, by far the highest engagement rate among brand mentions during the first two weeks of the NFL Playoffs.
TOP PERFORMING TWEETS BY ENGAGEMENT RATE
1. Taylor Gabriel + Madden | 23.19 percent engagement rate
Played with myself on madden for the first time @EAMaddenNFL I need a update please lol ?? I stopped throwing the ball to myself ??????
— Taylor Gabriel (@TGdadon1) January 3, 2017
2. Tyrell Williams + Vizio | 7.41 percent engagement rate
Grateful to be nominated as @Vizio‘s Top Value Performer. I need your vote! https://t.co/qeMbXCC8Tt #VIZIOTVP #TVPWilliams #ad pic.twitter.com/jlyG0wRF60
— Tyrell Williams (@TyrellWilliams_) January 4, 2017
3. Lucky Whitehead + Lucky Charms | 6.05 percent engagement rate
Want to know my pre game strategy? It’s @LuckyCharms #EatLuckyForLuck #AD pic.twitter.com/OCg6Ok0W2U
— Lucky Whitehead (@ninjafast22) January 12, 2017
4. Terrance Williams + Tide | 5.07 percent engagement rate
All hands on deck today for the Blue & Silver. Time to fight for each other and #OurColors, @TideNFL. #FinishThisFight #ad pic.twitter.com/ejpzliLFVN
— Terrance Williams (@TerranceWill2) January 15, 2017
5. Landon Collins + Tide | 4.87 percent engagement rate
Big Blue backs down from NO ONE. Time to prove #OurColors can win any time, anywhere, @TideNFL. #ad pic.twitter.com/bGUfyyDJfx
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) January 8, 2017
Tide’s #OurColors content continues to be incredibly engaging. Antonio Brown’s Tide mention the day of the AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Steelers and the Chiefs generated 12.6 thousand engagements, providing a great example of the power of high quality content shared at the right time.
TOP PERFORMING TWEETS BY TOTAL ENGAGEMENTS
1. Antonio Brown + Tide | 12,621 engagements
Win or go home. Time to step up for the Black & Gold. #OurColors aren’t done yet, @TideNFL. #HereWeGo #ad pic.twitter.com/PzQGzKtWHD
— Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown) January 15, 2017
2. Greg Olsen + New Era | 9,630 engagements
RT to win this custom @Panthers @LevineChildrens beanie by @NewEraCap! 5 winners selected at 1pm TODAY! #OlsenWPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/6QckZAFY42
— Greg Olsen (@gregolsen88) January 8, 2017
3. Terrance Williams + Tide | 9,340 engagements
All hands on deck today for the Blue & Silver. Time to fight for each other and #OurColors, @TideNFL. #FinishThisFight #ad pic.twitter.com/ejpzliLFVN
— Terrance Williams (@TerranceWill2) January 15, 2017
4. Antonio Brown + Tide | 6,686 engagements
#HereWeGo OurColors are MADE for the playoffs, @TideNFL. The Black & Gold is ready to show what we do when it matters most. #HereWeGo #ad pic.twitter.com/hGEfKrvBBR
— Antonio Brown (@AntonioBrown) January 8, 2017
5. Jordy Nelson + Tide | 5,479 engagements
#OurColors are ready to fight for every yard today. Time to prove why the Green & Gold is made for Playoff Football, @TideNFL. #GoPackGo #ad pic.twitter.com/l31Qcd6mOc
— Jordy Nelson (@JordyRNelson) January 8, 2017