5 Questions With: Alexa Rose

The big game is almost here, and we couldn’t be more excited! Over the years, the event has become much larger than a football game, growing into a cultural phenomena that draws in everybody from the diehard sports fans to the people who are only in it for the commercials.Today, we’re chatting with Alexa Rose, Sports Senior Associate Category Manager, about why the big game is such a unifying event year after year, and what we can expect from Party City this game day.

Whether you’re a sports fan or not, it seems like everybody watches the game. What sets it apart from other sporting events?

This is one of the most watched sporting events in the country—and it’s not just about the game! Of course, people tune in to see who wins, but they also want to be a part of the larger cultural conversation. Which commercials will be the standouts? Which moments from the Halftime Show will be Monday morning watercooler topics? Over 38% of households tuned in in 2021, which goes to show that people recognize that the day is about more than just the game, it’s about experiencing a shared event so we can connect with friends and the greater community. Above all, it’s an event that people can gather to witness, critique, and discuss—with some delicious food along the way—so we’re here to make sure people have everything they need to make that happen.

What does Party City have in store for this year’s game?

This year, we’re really excited to be taking a team-specific approach to the big game. Whether or not your home team makes it to the final game, everybody’s rooting for (or against!) someone on game day. Subsequently, we wanted to provide consumers with products that specifically include the teams and players that will be facing off this season. We’ll have yard signs, team-specific dueling cups, and even lifesize cardboard cutouts of the players so you can have your MVPs in your game day pictures—everything you need to root for your team on the big day!

Are there any challenges in curating team-specific products?

When we first decided to go team-specific, we knew we’d have to be thoughtful and swift in our execution. Since we weren’t able to predict which teams would make the playoffs, we had to be ready when the moment came. We, of course, worked closely with our licensing partners and leveraged social listening so we were aware of the popularity of various players and teams—from there, we were able to print cutouts and dueling cups on demand. Essentially, we prepared as much as we could, and were subsequently able to react quickly to get relevant products in the hands of the fans who wanted them in real time.

How is the team factoring COVID into game day planning?

We recognize that things could change at a moment’s notice, but we’re thrilled that people will be able to celebrate together again this year! To account for the wide scale of gatherings that will be taking place, we offer partyware that can accommodate groups of any size. Certain staples like plates and cups are relatively consistent every year. One difference this year, however, is that we reevaluated the scope of our party packs; whereas last year, our focus was to serve gatherings of under 20, this year we’re also offering 36 count party packs in anticipation of the larger parties that will be taking place. While we’re happy to help people congregate again, we also recognize that we need to provide party essentials that can be scaled up or down depending on the size of the gathering.?

Any closing thoughts?

We’re so excited to help people around the country celebrate the big game, and we’re eager to evaluate how the season goes so we can begin planning for next year! We definitely want to continue capitalizing on the entirety of the playoff season, so we’re eager to see how things pan out. Above all, though, we’re thrilled to continue to provide the means for people to gather, watch their favorite commercials, enjoy food with friends, and have fun at the social event of the year!