Bud Light has "come up with a fun," new promotion for the "second the Browns have notched their first regular-season victory" this season after a 0-16 campaign last year, according to Marc Bona of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. The company, "never adverse to sports marketing or promotions," will have "special locked refrigerators" triggered via smart technology once the franchise clinches its first win. Several of about 10 Bud Light Browns "Victory Fridges," approximately 8 feet tall, will be "put inside FirstEnergy Stadium." The remainder will be positioned in bars around Cleveland and "in suburban areas." The fridges will open "regardless of whether the victory is at home or on the road." Each fridge "holds upwards of 200 aluminum 16-ounce bottles." Bud Light is "being a bit coy about specific locations because Ohio law prevents pre-promotion of this type," but all "will be in the 'general Cleveland area.'" The promotion also "does not" violate the NFL's policy of "cutting off beer sales at the end of the third quarter" since the bottles are not for sale (CLEVELAND.com, 8/14). ESPN.com's Darren Rovell notes Bud Light is the "official beer of the NFL and 28 of its 32 teams." Bud Light VP/Marketing Andy Goeler said that the brand and the Browns "wanted to do something special to reward the loyalty of the fans, just like the company had when it fulfilled its promise" to Eagles OT Lane Johnson after Super Bowl LII. In order to be "eligible for the 200 to 300 16-ounce aluminum bottles inside each fridge, a fan has to be inside the bar" when the game clock "strikes zero" (ESPN.com, 8/14).
