As the official sponsor of the NCAA March Madness tournament, Pizza Hut is offering what it calls an “onscreen companion designed to enhance every game, keep fans connected, and serve up rewards all tournament long.”
Of course, it’s also meant to sell more pizza.
While fans are locked into the action, they’re also scrolling, Pizza Hut noted in a press release. Sixty-nine percent of those watching games on TV also use their mobile devices simultaneously, and 64% of avid sports fans engage with social media during the tournament.
That’s where “Hutty” comes in, the brand said, “acting as your ultimate digital sidekick. Hutty brings real-time reactions, hot takes and exclusive Pizza Hut offers straight to fans—turning solo second-screen moments into an interactive, community-driven experience.”
Fans can chat with Hutty by going to PizzaHut’s Instagram account and tapping on Hutty. They can also enter the sweepstakes to win free pizza for a year by signing up at PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com.
Here’s a closer look at the Hutty experience:
Hutty offers “surprise” deals, such as discount codes, BOGO offers and free sides. By engaging with Hutty, fans also have a chance to win limited-edition Pizza Hut swag.
For fans who are scrolling while watching the basketball action, Hutty “makes that experience better by reacting to buzzer-beaters, dropping fun insights, and keeping fans entertained from tip-off to the final whistle.”
Pizza Hut says Hutty is “passionate, fun, and all about the game. He lives for upsets, believes in game-day superstitions, and knows that pizza is the ultimate fuel for every matchup.”
“Basketball’s biggest tournament is a time when fans are more engaged than ever, but many are watching alone,” said Melissa Friebe, Pizza Hut’s chief marketing officer. “Pizza Hut has always been about bringing people together, and now, with Hutty, we’re extending that experience into the digital space—turning every game into a shared moment, no matter where or how you’re watching.”
