Sparda-Bank West’s “Bänker am Ball” is a unique mockumentary series combining live activations with digital storytelling. The campaign made the bank approachable and built an active fan community.
In 2024, Sparda-Bank West became Champion Partner of Borussia Dortmund—with the clear goal of boosting brand awareness and proving that it is different: simple, cooperative, and likeable. The sponsorship was to be brought to life in a smart, playful, and fresh way. Beyond stadium presence, the focus was on a cultural activation that authentically and humorously connects the brand with fans—delivering reach, engagement, and lasting brand affinity.
The idea: “Bänker am Ball”—a mockumentary series about three quirky Sparda employees diving headfirst into football culture. Across twelve episodes, their humorous adventures mirrored real Bundesliga match days, fan rituals, and stadium moments. This unusual blend of fictional comedy and authentic football culture broke radically with traditional bank communication and redefined sponsorship as cultural storytelling. By using irony, self-mockery, and narrative continuity across an entire season, the format turned a financial institution into a relatable, entertaining presence in fan culture. The innovation lay in transforming sponsorship from logo placement into a smart, participatory narrative that lived both online and offline—making Sparda not a sponsor speaking about football, but a character within it.
