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Scene from Barstool Sports Upfront Advertising Event showing podcast recording studio.

Corporate Upfront Event Case Study: Barstool Sports Advertising Showcase in Chicago

Full-Service Event Production: Brand Environment Design, Interactive Experiences & Custom Merchandise

CLIENT

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LOCATION

Chicago, IL

VENUE

Gymnasium

EVENT TYPE

Corporate Event
Upfront Advertising Event
Media Event

HIGHLIGHTS

Immersive Brand Environment
Custom Collector Cards
Interactive Jersey Station
Elevated Sports Bar Experience

Barstool Sports Upfront Advertising Showcase

When Barstool Sports sought to create an impactful Upfront event, they partnered with Gravel to design and execute a dynamic brand experience that would resonate with their audience while maintaining their distinctive voice.

Working alongside industry leaders HMR Designs, Blue Plate Catering, and Jack Nadel International, we transformed the venue into an immersive Barstool-branded environment. The event featured carefully curated touchpoints that celebrated the brand's unique culture and engaged guests throughout the evening.

Key elements included: Custom-designed environmental graphics and signage that amplified the Barstool aesthetic; elevated bar fare and craft cocktails that elevated the casual sports-bar atmosphere; limited edition Barstool collector cards created exclusively for the event; and an interactive jersey customization station where guests could create personalized Barstool merchandise.

Through thoughtful design and meticulous execution, we delivered an experience that authentically represented the Barstool Sports brand while exceeding the expectations of an Upfront event.

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Image Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you create authentic brand experiences for upfront advertising events?


A: Creating authentic upfront brand experiences requires deep understanding of the brand's voice, audience, and culture to design immersive environments that feel genuine rather than manufactured. We collaborate with brand teams to identify key touchpoints that showcase their unique personality, from custom environmental graphics and branded merchandise to interactive experiences that engage attendees meaningfully. Our approach balances professional presentation needs with authentic brand expression, ensuring advertisers experience the true essence of the brand they're considering for partnerships.


Q: What interactive elements work best for corporate upfront showcases?


A: Effective upfront interactive elements combine brand storytelling with memorable hands-on experiences that create lasting impressions with potential advertising partners. Popular activations include custom merchandise creation stations, branded photo opportunities, product sampling experiences, and exclusive collectible items that attendees can take home. We design interactions that naturally demonstrate the brand's audience engagement capabilities while providing tangible examples of the creative partnership opportunities available to advertisers.


Q: How do you coordinate vendor partnerships for branded corporate events?


A: Successful branded event coordination requires strategic vendor selection that aligns with the client's brand values and event objectives, followed by comprehensive project management to ensure seamless execution. We work with specialized partners for catering, design, production, and merchandise who understand the importance of brand consistency across every touchpoint. Our team manages vendor coordination, timeline alignment, and quality control to deliver cohesive experiences that authentically represent the brand while meeting the sophisticated expectations of corporate upfront audiences.

Corporate Upfront Event Planning: Barstool Sports Advertising Showcase Case Study

Full-Service Event Production: Brand Environment Design, Interactive Experiences & Custom Merchandise

Gravel Experiential creates exceptional corporate upfront events in Chicago and nationwide. Specializing in advertising showcases, brand experiences, and client entertainment with immersive venue transformation and custom interactive elements. Our expert team delivers memorable upfront presentations that engage advertisers and showcase brand culture authentically. Contact our Chicago-based corporate event planners for your next upfront advertising event.
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