AAC KICKOFF
SERVICES
Graphic Design/Branding
Fabrication
Event Management
TIMEFRAME
4/2024 - 7/2024
AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE KICKOFF
In anticipation of the 2024 college football season, the American Athletic Conference held its annual Media Days at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington. Along with the head coach and two student-athletes from each of AAC’s 14 member institutions in attendance, the 2024 Football Media Days marked the conference’s first media day of any sport that was opened to fans. Rally Department was asked to help bring the event to life both creatively and through on-site activation moments.
For the first time ever, AAC Media Days opened its doors to the general public, presenting a unique challenge for Rally Department. We were tasked with not only designing and fabricating a series of experiential activations that would engage both fans and student-athletes with The American’s brand but also creating an overarching creative theme that refreshed and modernized the event’s look. This challenge required us to seamlessly integrate the conference’s existing assets while ensuring a cohesive visual experience across a variety of physical elements throughout the hotel.
THE CHALLENGE
To enhance the experience for fans and team members, Rally Department organized three activities in the Loews Arlington Hotel lobby. The main attraction was a gaming station where student-athletes and fans played as their favorite AAC teams in EA Sports College Football 25. Highlights included student-athletes facing off and a marquee match between AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti and Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan. Attendees also tested their vertical jump at an AAC-branded station and took photos with a custom 7-foot replica of the AAC football championship trophy. Rally Department handled all aspects of the setup and execution, and developed a branding toolkit that was showcased from giveaway schedules to backdrops and signage.
THE DEVELOPMENT
In a dedicated effort to foster community engagement, Rally Department organized a special opportunity for two local Boys & Girls Club chapters to attend Media Days. The children were treated to a memorable experience, not only participating in all the on-site activations but also enjoying exclusive access to press conferences. They were thrilled to sit alongside media professionals, asking questions to the commissioner, coaches, and student-athletes, and even collecting autographs from players in the hotel lobby, creating memories they will cherish for a lifetime.
THE COMMUNITY
PROJECT ROI
Digitally, our College GameDay stunt and trophy tour was seen by over 22 million people. More than 106,000 people interacted with us on-site during Football Media Day, the trophy tour and AAC Championship Game Fan Fest.
