Digiday·2026-03-16

Lay’s uses WhatsApp to create a group chat for World Cup fans

Against a saturated — and more expensive — sports marketing landscape, Lay’s is trying to recreate one of the internet’s most intimate spaces: the group chat. The PepsiCo-owned snack brand is hosting a FIFA World Cup watch party through Meta’s WhatsApp. The group chat features celebs like Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Alexia Putellas, Thierry Henry, and Steve Carell — all of whom are posting photos

Against a saturated — and more expensive — sports marketing landscape, Lay’s is trying to recreate one of the internet’s most intimate spaces: the group chat. The PepsiCo-owned snack brand is hosting a FIFA World Cup watch party through Meta’s WhatsApp. The group chat features celebs like Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Alexia Putellas, Thierry Henry, and Steve Carell — all of whom are posting photos