waterloo black hawks

Influencer Marketing Case Study for Local Sports Team

When hockey meets hometown pride, something special happens. Our collaboration with the Waterloo Black Hawks turned a regular Friday night into a uniquely Iowa experience that blended social storytelling, live entertainment, and charitable impact. All wrapped in limited edition branded swag.

The Objective

We designed a campaign that went far beyond sponsorships and signage. Together, Iowa Chill and the Black Hawks co-created an event that invited fans to be part of the moment: before, during, and after the puck dropped.

Co-branded, limited edition swag was the pièce de résistance for ticket package pre-orders and attendees shopping the store.

The Approach

To activate Iowa Chill’s influence and community reach for a one-night-only takeover of a Black Hawks home hockey game in Waterloo.

The mission was to drive ticket sales, rally regional support around a young local hockey player battling leukemia, and bring viral energy to a beloved Iowa sports tradition.

The Creators

Content and engagement were led by Iowa Chill, using our owned social platforms and team of Midwest-native creators.

On the ground, our team captured everything from pre-game energy and on-ice contests to surprise giveaways and post-game celebrations

Campaign Deployment

The campaign rolled out in three chapters: a lead-up packed with memes, teaser videos, and ticket pushes; a high-energy event night where fans met the Iowa Chill crew, snagged their swag, and joined on-ice games; and a post-game wrap-up that gave every ticket buyer a chance to relive the night through our social feeds.

The event capped off with a thrilling overtime shootout win for the Black Hawks, delivering a full-circle celebration of community, content, and competition.

results:

This campaign proved that when regional brands tap into hometown pride, big things happen. Not only did we sell out merch and fill the stands, we built real buzz around a great cause and showcased what’s possible when two Iowa staples team up.

From impressions and fan engagement to charitable impact and local media buzz, the Black Hawks x Iowa Chill night delivered a memorable moment and laid the groundwork for something even bigger next season.

625,000+ across platforms.

Total Impressions:

Total Transactions:

250+ Ticket Packages, & Limited Edition Swag

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