Traditionally relegated to the role of casual or soft, female fans have long been marginalised. As interest in women's sports grows, will the industry start catering to them? Canvas8 spoke to sports expert Dr. Stacey Pope to find out why female fandom represents such an exciting opportunity for brands.

Why is optimistic advertising so appealing? How are people defining the ‘American Dream’ for themselves? And could breaking the fourth wall to subvert hard-selling win over new fans? Canvas8 unpicks the behavioral themes present in 11 notable campaigns from the 2020 Super Bowl.

Microsoft's 2020 Super Bowl ad shone a light on Katie Sowers, the first female coach to feature in the NFL's biggest game. Research suggests it was the ‘most emotionally effective’ ad of the season, underscoring the power of highlighting a real person’s journey to address a wider issue.

With digital channels offering them increased access to their heroes, casual supporters and ‘stans’ alike are embracing novel ways of showing their devotion to celebs and sports teams. How are these passionate individuals forging new cultural tribes and changing expectations of fan interactions?