How a Dual-Threat Athlete Perfectly Embodies a Beverage Brand's Message

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by @drinkolipop
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Creative Idea The core idea is to partner with a high-profile college athlete, Travis Hunter, and draw a parallel between his unique ability to play two demanding positions (offense and defense) and the consumer's choice between two different product flavors. The tagline "doesn't choose one" reinforces this concept, suggesting that, like Hunter excels in multiple roles, consumers can enjoy multiple Olipop options. Execution Breakdown The post uses a simple two-image carousel. The first image establishes the partnership with a friendly, authentic shot of the athlete enjoying the products. The overlaid text introduces the central theme. The second image makes the metaphor explicit by labeling the two different soda flavors with the athlete's on-field positions, "DB" (Defensive Back) and "WR" (Wide Receiver), directly connecting the product to his well-known "dual-threat" status. Why It Works This campaign succeeds due to its deep relevance and authenticity. It's not just a generic endorsement; the creative concept is tailor-made for this specific influencer. It leverages a key aspect of Travis Hunter's public persona that his audience already understands and admires. This creates an intelligent, memorable link between the athlete's unique talent and the brand's message of variety, making the partnership feel natural and clever rather than forced. What to Replicate vs. What to Test Next Marketers should replicate the strategy of finding influencers whose personal brand or story has a genuine, non-obvious connection to the product's core message. This deep alignment is far more powerful than simply matching demographics. For the next step, the brand could test a short-form video where Hunter briefly discusses the parallels between preparing for offense versus defense and choosing a drink for different moments, adding a layer of storytelling. Adaptations for Small Business Owners Small businesses can apply this principle by partnering with local micro-influencers or community figures who have a unique story that resonates with their product. A bakery could partner with a local artist known for mixing different media, paralleling the bakery's fusion of flavors. The key is to find an authentic narrative link, not just a large following. In conclusion This collaboration is a prime example of strategic influencer marketing. By moving beyond a simple product placement and weaving the influencer's unique narrative into the brand's message, the campaign achieves a high level of relevance and memorability, effectively building brand awareness with a targeted and engaged audience.

Creator: drinkolipop
Status: published
Featured: No
Created: 9/28/2025