Dos Equis, a brand of White Plains, N.Y.-based Heineken USA and the Official Beer Sponsor of the College Football Playoff (CFP), is inviting legal drinking aged consumers and college football fans alike to make Dos Equis their beer of choice throughout the college football season through its new comprehensive, 360-degree retail and on-premise program. The season-long promotion, which includes TV commercials, digital and mobile partnerships, program-specific limited-edition packaging and special offers, will drive consumers to local retail and on-premise outlets to purchase Dos Equis and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a VIP experience at the CFP National Championship in Tampa Bay, Fla., the company says.

In addition, Dos Equis will execute fan engagement on-site at the CFP Semifinals, the CFP National Championship and the “New Year’s Six” bowl properties, including the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Capital One Orange Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl, the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic and the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual, it adds.

“Dos Equis is the perfect choice for those who enjoy interesting experiences with friends,” said Andrew Katz, vice president of marketing for Dos Equis, in a statement. “College football is a dynamic and social occasion that calls for a brand that celebrates the high energy level of game-day viewing. Our college football program provides college football fans with everything they need to elevate their game day experience and aspire to game day greatness in Dos Equis’ celebrated ‘Stay Thirsty’ style.”

National TV spots, running September through January, will generate awareness for the Dos Equis college football program and encourage engagement throughout the program period, the company says. Digital and mobile partnerships will direct consumers to the mobile sweepstakes hub where they can receive instant access to exclusive college football content and enter for a chance to win weekly prizes and the ultimate VIP experience to the national championship game.

At retail, attention grabbing, point-of-sale materials, including standees, pennant streamers, price cards, cooler decals, display toppers and case stackers, will drive shopper awareness and engagement, the company says. Additionally, limited-edition packaging highlighting the partnership and sweepstakes will be available in market starting November. Mail-in rebates, instantly redeemable coupons and cross-merchandise offers (where legal) on the purchase of Dos Equis and game day snacks provide retailers with out-of-section merchandising options. Partnerships with Jameson Irish Whiskey and game day salty snacks, will provide consumers with one-stop shopping for their game day celebrations, it adds.

On-premise, tap-handle bases, table tents, coasters, banners and pennant streamers will encourage the purchase of Dos Equis and invite patrons to enter the sweepstakes through the mobile hub. Consumer sampling also will drive trial in on- and off-premise accounts throughout the college football program, the company says.

Katz added: “Since 2012, Mexican import is the only segment in the category that has shown consistent double digit growth year-over-year. Within the Mexican import segment, Dos Equis drinkers make 36 percent more shopping trips, and spend 30 percent more per trip than the leading Mexican import. Our college football program will allow retailers to leverage the growth of Dos Equis and the Mexican import category among fans of college football, the second most watched sport in the U.S.”