Defiant LA LLC partnered with Todd Bozeman and The Blake Bozeman Foundation to shape the HBCU IN DC Tip-Off Experience. We helped craft the narrative, set the look, attracted brand sponsors, drove community engagement, and together we brought in the live production teams, content teams, and streaming partners. Our live event was streamed through Bryon Allen’s media group on HBCU GO TV +The Grio, and from our third streaming partner NLSE (With a combined total reach of 96M+). The event welcomed a lively audience full of family, community, alumni, fans and followers, all for an afternoon of music, entertainment and HBCU Basketball, with a heated matchup between Delaware St & Virginia State University. Local GO-GO band, DC Vybe put on a full concert afterwards, as JUMP DC performed at halftime.

DIGITAL + SOCIAL PROMOTION

A vast social campaign supported the promotions of the event, supported our sponsors, and raised awareness and donations for our non-profit partner THE BLAKE BOZEMAN FOUNDATION. Our reach grew through strategic collaborations with teams and partners. Simultaneously, Coach Todd Bozeman’s social presence and radio appearances served as key drivers for ticket sales and charitable donations.

CAREFIRST ARENA

CareFirst Arena, in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Southeast DC, played host to the inaugural BLAKE BOZEMAN FOUNDATION’S HBCU IN DC TIP-OFF EXPERIENCE. The cozy 3k-seat arena provided an intimate viewing environment and an amazing backdrop for the event.

BRAND ACTIVATIONS

Small brand activations on the concourse level allowed our sponsors to connect with the crowds and the community.

COURT + ARENA SIGNAGE

The HBCU IN DC Brand was everywhere. On center court, the jumbotrons, digital banners, digital endcaps, locker room exteriors, and everywhere you looked. Co-branded installments showcased our sponsors and brought them into the event with seamless synergy.

THE GAME

Our live action crew from Telemedia Productions ( https://www.telemediaproductions.com/ ) captured the game and transmitted our signal to HBCU GO TV, The Grio, and to NLSE. Arena sponsors were all included in the live broadcast with multiple ad placements. And The Blake Bozeman Foundation had an embedded QR code on screen, in lower third pop-ups, scoreboard, and placed video content of :30-2:00 minutes, raising donations and awareness throughout the game. Our DJ and Hypeman kept the audience entertained, along with pre-game HBCU Basketball Trivia, and introductions from our sponsors. The game came down to the wire with Virginia State University pulling out the victory.

WE’LL SEE YOU ALL NEXT YEAR IN DC AS WE EXPECT THE FESTIVITIES TO FLOURISH.