Social media is evolving. Are you adapting? Connect with a community of brand pros and content creators at Social Media Week, May 12–14 in NYC, to learn how to keep pace with new trends and technology. Register now to save 20% on your pass. This post was created in partnership with NativoThe bracket is locked. The votes are in. The battle for consumer attention has officially tipped off.March Brandness—powered by Nativo’s Brand Rank—throws 16 standout brands into head-to-head matchups, with consumer consideration as the scoreboard. Advancement is based on the results of a survey in which more than 1,000 U.S. consumers answered: Which brand are you most likely to buy?Here’s the opening slate: AT&T vs. Capital One Coca-Cola vs. Buffalo Wild Wings Buick vs. Geico Great Clips vs. Pizza Hut TurboTax vs. LG Bonvoy vs. Nabisco Nissan vs. Reese’s Home Depot vs. Unilever Round One is now closed, the tournament is underway, and expert analysis is already in full swing.Greg Friend, vp of strategy & innovation at Nativo, has Coca-Cola going the distance: “I was torn between Reese’s and Coca-Cola, both because of their ubiquitous category and my personal preferences. The passion of Coca-Cola’s fan base will be more than enough to overcome the split factions of candy fandom, and Coke will walk away with the trophy. Invented in 1886, Coca-Cola is the UCLA of March Brandness, and I’d be shocked to see anyone knock them off.”But who is Friend’s sleeper pick? TurboTax. “Not only is tax season coming up, so everyone is thinking about it, but doing taxes sucks. TurboTax has something like a 70% market share. While taxes are not as exciting of a product as some of the other brands, I bet they come out strong—like Colorado State in this year’s tournament. Proven success, riding momentum, and here to turn some heads.”Racine Levy, senior director of brand and performance media, is all in on Reese’s. “Reese’s is a no-brainer. It’s not just a candy; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The classic cups, the seasonal drops, the endless snack innovations—Reese’s dominates the aisle and consumer cravings like it’s their birthright. In March Brandness terms, they’re the Duke or Kansas of the bracket: consistent, beloved, and built to win. I’d be shocked if anyone takes them down.”But it’s Great Clips she sees as a possible bracket-buster. “Great Clips isn’t flashy, but they’ve got what matters: necessity. People always need haircuts, and with their mix of affordability, convenience, and brand familiarity, they’re the mid-major team that gets hot at the right time. Don’t be surprised if they make a Cinderella run.”Justin Rosen, svp of data & analytics at Ampersand, bets the house on Buffalo Wild Wings. “This tournament is going to be dominated by Buffalo Wild Wings. When I see that B2dub logo I think two things: watching the game and eating wings. Win. Win. It’s hard to compete with that.”While Rosen is all in on Buffalo Wild Wings, he also sees Great Clips as the underdog to watch. “These guys know how to find me when I’m doing things with my kids that they love. Filling out brackets, they’re there. Monster Jam, they’re there. I haven’t forgotten!”Next up in the tournament: eliminations. Full scorecards, more expert breakdowns, and a few surprises are coming as we trim the field to the Elite 8. Recommended videos

Greg Friend, vp of strategy & innovation at Nativo, has Coca-Cola going the distance: “I was torn between Reese’s and Coca-Cola, both because of their ubiquitous category and my personal preferences. The passion of Coca-Cola’s fan base will be more than enough to overcome the split factions of candy fandom, and Coke will walk away with the trophy. Invented in 1886, Coca-Cola is the UCLA of March Brandness, and I’d be shocked to see anyone knock them off.”

The bracket is locked. The votes are in. The battle for consumer attention has officially tipped off.But it’s Great Clips she sees as a possible bracket-buster. “Great Clips isn’t flashy, but they’ve got what matters: necessity. People always need haircuts, and with their mix of affordability, convenience, and brand familiarity, they’re the mid-major team that gets hot at the right time. Don’t be surprised if they make a Cinderella run.”Next up in the tournament: eliminations. Full scorecards, more expert breakdowns, and a few surprises are coming as we trim the field to the Elite 8.Racine Levy, senior director of brand and performance media, is all in on Reese’s. “Reese’s is a no-brainer. It’s not just a candy; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The classic cups, the seasonal drops, the endless snack innovations—Reese’s dominates the aisle and consumer cravings like it’s their birthright. In March Brandness terms, they’re the Duke or Kansas of the bracket: consistent, beloved, and built to win. I’d be shocked if anyone takes them down.”

AT&T vs. Capital One
Coca-Cola vs. Buffalo Wild Wings
Buick vs. Geico
Great Clips vs. Pizza Hut
TurboTax vs. LG
Bonvoy vs. Nabisco
Nissan vs. Reese’s
Home Depot vs. Unilever

Social media is evolving. Are you adapting? Connect with a community of brand pros and content creators at Social Media Week, May 12–14 in NYC, to learn how to keep pace with new trends and technology. Register now to save 20% on your pass.This post was created in partnership with NativoJustin Rosen, svp of data & analytics at Ampersand, bets the house on Buffalo Wild Wings. “This tournament is going to be dominated by Buffalo Wild Wings. When I see that B2dub logo I think two things: watching the game and eating wings. Win. Win. It’s hard to compete with that.”Here’s the opening slate:March Brandness—powered by Nativo’s Brand Rank—throws 16 standout brands into head-to-head matchups, with consumer consideration as the scoreboard. Advancement is based on the results of a survey in which more than 1,000 U.S. consumers answered: Which brand are you most likely to buy?But who is Friend’s sleeper pick? TurboTax. “Not only is tax season coming up, so everyone is thinking about it, but doing taxes sucks. TurboTax has something like a 70% market share. While taxes are not as exciting of a product as some of the other brands, I bet they come out strong—like Colorado State in this year’s tournament. Proven success, riding momentum, and here to turn some heads.”

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Brand Madness

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