Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Prefer it or not, advertising and marketing influences all of us. We are inclined to gravitate in direction of merchandise we hear typically about, these utilized by our family and friends, and particularly these endorsed by sports activities groups and celebrities we admire. This isn’t unintended; firms strategically affiliate their merchandise with individuals and organizations that mirror their values and evoke optimistic feelings. Consider that well-known basketball participant many aspire to be like, or the sports activities group recent off a championship win. Musicians, actors, and on-line influencers with devoted followings additionally maintain important sway over public opinion and buying choices.
Google has been investing closely in selling its Pixel smartphone lineup, and the outcomes are starting to point out — to a degree. Whereas the corporate reportedly achieved robust quarterly gross sales figures just lately, it nonetheless faces a problem in breaking into the highest 5 international smartphone producers.
Let’s discover a number of the most distinguished and recognizable partnership offers Google has secured for its Pixel telephones. This isn’t an exhaustive listing, and the precise monetary phrases stay confidential, however it’s protected to imagine these partnerships characterize substantial investments.
Basketball partnership: NBA, WNBA, and G League

In 2021, Google cast a major partnership with the NBA, which stays lively right this moment and extends to the WNBA (Ladies’s Nationwide Basketball Affiliation) and the NBA G League. Underneath this settlement, the Google Pixel is designated because the “Official Fan Cellphone of the NBA.” Consequently, followers incessantly encounter Pixel promoting throughout video games, and main occasions just like the NBA Playoffs are sometimes offered underneath the “Introduced by Google Pixel” slogan.
Pixel telephones performed a central function throughout occasions just like the All-Star Weekend, the place Google arrange immersive “Pixel Home” experiences. These allowed attendees to instantly take a look at Pixel options, probably together with capabilities like its AI instruments and Google Lens, showcasing the cellphone’s expertise in an enticing surroundings.
Basketball is an enormous international enterprise that generates a worldwide following. The game evokes robust feelings tied to group efficiency. Because the world’s premier basketball league, the NBA aligns with Google’s technique of associating the Pixel model with excellence and success. Moreover, the partnership is centered within the US — Google’s house market — the place the corporate goals to considerably broaden its market share, leveraging the excessive buying energy and shopper willingness to put money into premium smartphones. Whereas the precise monetary particulars are undisclosed, such a league-wide partnership possible includes an annual funding nicely into the thousands and thousands of {dollars}.
Soccer partnership: Premier League powerhouses

Shifting focus throughout the Atlantic, Google can be eager on boosting its presence in Europe. A key technique includes teaming up with a number of the most prestigious soccer (soccer) golf equipment on the continent. At present, Google Pixel serves because the official cell phone associate for 2 English giants: Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC.
The Premier League is arguably the most-watched soccer league globally, boasting an enormous fanbase not solely within the UK and Europe however all over the world. Recognizing the success of its sports activities partnership mannequin, Google seems to be replicating this technique in key worldwide markets.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah just lately took a viral selfie with followers utilizing a Pixel cellphone.
Followers will discover Google and Pixel branding throughout matches. There’s additionally a social media section referred to as “Pitchside, Introduced by Pixel,” which options movies shot on Pixel telephones, capturing all the things from match-day environment to participant reactions, shared throughout the golf equipment’ official channels.
Lately, a picture circulated exhibiting Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah taking a selfie with followers utilizing a Pixel cellphone after scoring a vital objective. Whereas producing buzz, it stays unclear whether or not this was a spontaneous second or a cleverly built-in promotional component.
The monetary scale of those club-specific offers is unknown however possible lower than the excellent NBA partnership. Nonetheless, given the stature of those golf equipment and the Premier League’s attain, the funding undoubtedly runs into the thousands and thousands yearly.
Tennis partnership: Australian Open

From North America and Europe, Google’s technique extends to the Asia-Pacific area, particularly concentrating on Australia. To develop its enterprise and Pixel gross sales down underneath, Google has entered into one other main sports activities sponsorship, this time specializing in tennis.
Google Pixel is the “official smartphone and official digital camera of the Australian Open.” This partnership goes past easy branding. It leverages the Pixel’s digital camera expertise, significantly its AI capabilities, to supply followers distinctive views and content material. This contains new in-play viewing angles and showcasing iconic moments captured with Pixel telephones, each on and off the courtroom. A lot of this unique content material, tagged with #PixelPerspective, is shared extensively on social media, demonstrating the cellphone’s digital camera high quality. Naturally, conventional Pixel ads are additionally featured throughout event broadcasts.
Tennis enjoys widespread international recognition, making the Australian Open a precious platform. Whereas the deal’s worth is confidential, it represents one other multi-million-dollar annual dedication to associating Pixel with world-class sporting occasions.
Superstar and athlete endorsements

Past partnerships with leagues and golf equipment, Google collaborates instantly with particular person athletes and different celebrities. This contains actors, musicians, and on-line influencers who command important followings.
Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as a distinguished Pixel ambassador.
Among the many most seen endorsements are possible these with high NBA gamers. Giannis Antetokounmpo serves as a distinguished Pixel ambassador, incessantly showing in promotional supplies. As a famous person with international attraction — well-liked within the US and with robust ties to his house nation Greece — he gives intensive attain.
Jimmy Butler is one other instance, identified not just for his basketball prowess but additionally for his partaking character. Athletes like these are extremely wanted by manufacturers as a result of they join with followers each on and off the courtroom.
Different notable athletes who’re or have been a part of “Staff Pixel” embrace NBA gamers Joel Embiid and Jalen Inexperienced, and WNBA stars like Candace Parker and Kelsey Plum. The listing extends to numerous different celebrities throughout completely different fields.
Different notable partnerships

Whereas the above characterize a number of the largest offers, Google employs a various vary of partnerships:
- McLaren Method 1: Google has a cope with the McLaren F1 group, which has proven robust efficiency just lately. This partnership isn’t Pixel-exclusive; branding typically options Android and Chrome logos on the automobile and group gear. Nonetheless, we now have seen McLaren drivers selling Pixel telephones. Associating with F1 successfully conveys messages of velocity, cutting-edge expertise, and international attain.
- Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League (NWSL): Google is the “official cell phone associate” of the NWSL within the US. Moreover, it serves because the “presenting sponsor” of the NWSL Playoffs and Championship, aligning the Pixel model with the quickly rising sport of ladies’s soccer.
These examples spotlight Google’s multi-faceted technique to embed the Pixel model inside well-liked tradition, significantly by means of associations with profitable sports activities organizations, globally acknowledged occasions, and influential personalities. By aligning Pixel with winners, excessive efficiency, and passionate fan bases throughout completely different areas and demographics, Google goals to construct model consciousness, optimistic sentiment, and finally, drive gross sales within the aggressive smartphone market. These efforts are ongoing, with new partnerships possible rising as Google continues its push for progress.
Did I miss any main Pixel partnerships you’re conscious of? Let me know within the feedback!