On Tuesday the 17th, the Nativa staff decided to do something we dont do near enough. Have some fun! We invited 50 of our favorite partners, clients, and generally delightful people to join us for the high profile Brazil-Mexico FIFA World Cup soccer game. We decided to host the event at the Arcadia Tavern, conveniently located halfway between Phoenix and Scottsdale, making it easy for people in both cities to attend in less than a 15 minute drive.
The invitation for the World Cup Event on June 17th was quite popular and had to be shut down a few days prior to the match!
Maria from Nativa set the tone early by showing off her colors (tricolors to be exact) early on in the morning. While most people attending wore their business casual gear (it was a workday at noon after all) there were a few others in Mexico gear and even one brave soul in Brazil garb!
The Nativa Hispanic soccer marketing table was packed. This was not a surprise as our partner Jaime Talamante from New York Life helped promote the event and together we found that getting Hispanics to watch soccer is about as difficult as it sounds. In fact the vast majority of U.S. Hispanics love soccer and become absorbed and enthralled with the FIFA World Cup every four years. For Hispanics, watching a soccer game, in particular a World Cup game, brings a deep sense of national pride. What is interesting to note is that we Hispanics living in the US cheer for our home countries but also feel represented by the US Men’s team. As further testament to that, last Monday’s World Cup match between the U.S. and Ghana drew an audience of 15.9 million total viewers on Univision, making it the most-watched World Cup game featuring a U.S. team ever.
The game was about as exciting as it gets for a 0-0 tie. Mexican fans, who are easily the dominant Hispanic group in Phoenix, were on the edge of their seats nearly the entire second half as their goalie was tested repeatedly. At the end of the day Mexico and their adoring masses seemed to be quite content with a tie versus the formidable Brazilian home team.
And without further ado, see the pictures from the day below! (See entire set of full resolution pics on our Facebook page.)
The Nativa/New York Life table packed the Arcadia Tavern, including one daring Brazil fan (Natalia Ronceria Ceballos) who snuck into the Mexico dominant atmosphere!
A number of excited and very concentrated Mexico fans enjoying the first half.
Eric Diaz of Nativa chatting with Mandy Minette, Jackie Mossay, and Luis Medina of Park and Co. One of many good conversations that occurred.
Great food and drink created the perfect soccer environment.
Several members of the group toasting to Mexico early on in the game.
Eric Diaz and Jaime Talamante coordinated the event, a joint effort between Nativa and New York Life
