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Disney using subliminal messaging for College Football Playoff promotion

By Phil Naegely

Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A general view of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. Oklahoma won 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; A general view of the College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners at McLane Stadium. Oklahoma won 44-34. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Disney is doing everything it can to make sure when television viewers know when the College Football Playoff semifinal is taking place.

For the first time in a long time, major college football bowls (see: games bearing championship implications) are being played on New Year’s Eve and Disney, the parent company of ESPN, wants to make sure fans are away of it. Disney is either desperate for ratings or wants to make sure college football fans know when the College Football Playoff is taking place with their cross-brand promotional advertisement.

During the BCS era, and even the inaugural year of the College Football Playoff, the bigger bowl games were on New Year’s Day and the BCS Championship was after that. However, this year the semifinal games of the College Football Playoff will take place on New Year’s Eve rather than New Year’s Day.

During Thursday’s episode of General Hospital, Disney placed many subliminal messages throughout the show referencing the big event multiple times. Towards the end of the advertising, it seemed to be forced and overdone.

However, it wasn’t the only place where Disney brought up the College Football Playoff to its viewers. On Disney Jr. kids answered multiple questions regarding athletes in the College Football Playoff semifinals and characters from their favorite Disney shows. Of course, the kids picked their favorite Disney show characters.

Disney was smart to promote the College Football Playoff across multiple brands they own. It makes sense from a money aspect as they don’t have to pay for those plugs of the event. Likewise, with the semifinal games being on New Year’s Eve this year, it’s a wise move to bring up the date and event so it sticks in people’s heads.

Yet, the increased advertisement during non-sports shows could show desperation and has many people wondering if Disney is afraid the big-time sports event will do on New Year’s Eve. It will only be a matter of time before we know how the semifinal games did, but Disney was taking no chances by placing subliminal messages throughout multiple programming across their brands.

h/t Deadspin

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