NIL Campaign Powered by Postgame Named to Inc.'s "Best in Business" Marketing Category for 2025

“Congratulations to C4 Energy on being recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the top Marketing Campaigns in all of 2025." said Bill Jula, CEO of Postgame. “It was a privilege for Postgame to deliver what many consider to be one of the most ambitious and challenging sports marketing efforts in college sports history.”

Read the full press release from C4 Energy (Nutrabolt): Nutrabolt and C4 Energy have been named to Inc.’s 2025 Best in Business list in the Best Marketing category. The annual list honors companies that, through exceptional execution, have achieved meaningful milestones and business wins, including customer expansion, standout product launches, increased market share, and industry-defining accomplishments. 

This recognition highlights two of C4’s breakthrough programs from the past year: Bracket Breakers and Liquid Gold, campaigns that reshaped how brands can authentically show up for athletes, fans, and cultural moments throughout the March Madness season. 

A Cultural First in March Madness: Bracket Breakers 

During the 2025 NCAA tournament, C4 Energy became the first brand in history to sign one athlete from every men’s and women’s March Madness team. The program included 128 players across the entire tournament field and activated through the brand’s “Made for Athletes. Certified for Sport®” platform. It amplified the importance of NSF Certified for Sport® ingredients while giving athletes a new way to share their training, their stories, and their passion for performance. 

Bracket Breakers stood out because it was built entirely on authenticity and trust rather than sponsorship rights or traditional advertising. The result was a unified, athlete-driven brand moment that resonated across the sports landscape. 

Redefining Championship Celebration: Liquid Gold 

The initiative reached its peak with the debut of Liquid Gold, a champagne-inspired, non-alcoholic, NSF Certified for Sport® celebration drink designed specifically for athletes. For the first time, a beverage created for collegiate performance became part of championship history. 

The UCONN women’s team and the University of Florida men’s team used Liquid Gold in their national title celebrations, creating cultural moments that aired across national broadcasts and were widely shared across social platforms. These celebrations generated more than one billion earned media impressions and quickly became some of the most talked-about highlights of the tournament season. 

Liquid Gold introduced a new ritual to college sports and reinforced C4’s commitment to innovation, athlete advocacy, and performance-driven storytelling. 

A Win for Athletes, Creativity, and Culture 

The recognition from Inc. reflects more than the success of two campaigns. It signals a broader shift in how sports stories are told. Moments like Bracket Breakers and Liquid Gold show that cultural impact is no longer defined by the biggest sponsorship or the loudest placement, but by the ideas that champion athletes, elevate their voices, and tap into the emotion of competition. 

To view the complete list of honorees, visit https://inc.com/best-in-business