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ambush marketing

American  
[am-boosh mahr-ki-ting] / ˈæm bʊʃ ˈmɑr kɪ tɪŋ /

noun

  1. a marketing strategy for associating a brand with a major event without paying sponsorship fees, often by exploiting the publicity generated by an official sponsor and rival brand.


Etymology

Origin of ambush marketing

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It is known as ambush marketing - and Fifa has been battling it since 1994.

From BBC Jun. 25, 2026

The IOC said in a statement that it takes ambush marketing seriously and will protect its sponsors' exclusive rights.

From Reuters Jun. 29, 2016

A stream of branded Starbucks cups has seeped around the Olympic grounds in what some initially surmised was a cunning ambush marketing campaign—a suggestion that Starbucks and NBC deny.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 15, 2014

Paddy Power, however, continues to go from strength-to-strength with its penchant for ambush marketing.

From The Guardian Nov. 16, 2012

Other athletes will be happy to know the I.O.C. will not be checking their underwear for potential ambush marketing.

From New York Times Jul. 27, 2012

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