Wednesday, August 26, 2026
The FOS App Launches September 1 Pre-save on the App Store Today

Shot Callers Episode 2: Nick Kelly, Head of US Sports Marketing, Anheuser-Busch InBev

Anheuser-Busch has historically been one of the biggest spenders when it comes to sports marketing in the U.S. According to ESP research, the brand was the second-biggest U.S. sponsorship spender in 2016 (behind PepsiCo) with a $355 million spend.

That’s a lot of dough.

With an impact like that, how does a brand who seemingly spends at every sporting event quantify the true ROI of their investment? The short answer, it’s tough.

It’s this toughness that led Nick Kelly, Head of US Sports Marketing for Anheuser-Busch InBev, and the rest of his team to look at changing the way they worked with potential partners to bring measurement of effectiveness back to what is really driving real ROI.

In a Front Office Sports exclusive, Adam White catches up with Kelly after his keynote speech at IEG 2018 to see how Dilly Dilly took on a life of its own, why AB InBev transitioned to an incentive-based sponsorship model, and where sports marketing as a whole goes from here.

Want more content like this? Subscribe to our daily newsletter!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jed York Absent From NFL Owners’ Meeting

49ers CEO Al Guido was the team’s primary representative.

Gov. Landry: SEC ‘Creating a Legal Mess’ Over Athlete Eligibility

“Don’t hate the player,” the Louisiana governor said. “Hate the game.”

NFL Owners Unanimously Approve Seahawks Sale

The Khosla family’s deal was officially ratified Wednesday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation about Unrivaled’s $650M Valuation with Co-Founder Alex Bazzell

0:00

Featured Today

Deshaun Watson Has Done the Impossible: Unite Browns Fans

Watson was named the starter after complaining boos were “personal.”
August 23, 2026

Dan Snyder ‘Invisible’ in NFL Three Years After Commanders Sale

Snyder has had little to no contact with former NFL associates.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Burnley - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2026 Arsenal's Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Burnley's Max Weiss
August 21, 2026

Why the Premier League’s Star-Power Shortage Doesn’t Matter

The world’s richest soccer league doesn’t rely on big stars to dominate.
August 12, 2026

Trendy Golf Hat Divide Is More Than a Fashion Fight

As golf has gotten trendier, so has the sport’s style.
Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes
August 6, 2026

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”

US Open ‘Almost Doubling’ Credentials for Content Creators

Nearly 100 creators will be credentialed at this year’s US Open.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
August 23, 2026

Good Good Golf Pulls Ad, Apologizes Following Backlash

Callaway, Good Good’s equipment partner, said it was “disappointed by the content.”
Sponsored

Kerri Walsh Jennings’s Playbook for the Future of Volleyball

The former gold medalist talks NCAA, the Olympics, & investing in volleyball.
Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, Ariz., United States; Sheryl Swoopes hosts a WBNA All-Star brunch in honor of her former teammate, Nikki McCray Penson, at Thea in Phoenix on July 19, 2024
May 12, 2025

Swoopes: A’ja Wilson Shoe Campaign Shows Nike Sea Change

Nike released the Air Swoopes in 1995.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
Apr 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; MLB umpire Ron Kulpa (46) calls a third strike during a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field
May 4, 2025

Lasik Is Trolling Refs and Offering Them Free Eye Surgery

Some pro officials have sprung for the offer for free corrective surgery.
January 15, 2025

State Farm Pulls Out of Super Bowl Ad Amid Fire Backlash

State Farm’s Super Bowl ad last year featured Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito.