Bankers Advertising

Well, we finally know which two teams will be facing off at Super Bowl 2018: the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. In scrolling through social media in the wake of last weekend’s games, I saw a friend post: “And I’m officially only watching for the halftime show.”  

That’s the thing about the Super Bowl, isn’t it? Even if your team’s not in it, you watch. For many people, even if you don’t like football, you watch. It’s ubiquitous. It’s unavoidable. It’s classic. And, between the game, the halftime show, and the commercials, there really is something in it for everyone.

Wouldn’t it be great if your company could make those claims?          

Well, that’s why we’re here: to help you leverage the marketing power of promotional products to deliver Super (Bowl) Successes – campaigns that are ubiquitous, unavoidable, and classic. Campaigns that catch the eye and draw people in, even if they’re loyal to a different brand. Even if they know nothing about the product.

Like the football game of games, a good promotional marketing campaign takes head-in-the-game hard work, like the players on the field. It takes a bold dash of creativity, like the halftime show. And it takes reaching out with humor and compassion for the part that people usually ignore in other contexts: the commercials, or, in our context, the ask.

So whether you’re in it to root for the Eagles (hey, the Patriots are favored, and I’m a sucker for an underdog!), to check out the Justin Timberlake halftime show, or to laugh and cry at the commercials, remember that all three work together to draw in the over 110 million people who tune in every year. Bankers is here to work hard, get creative, make that ask – and deliver you Super (Bowl) Successes every time!

The new University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s hospital opened in early 2017. Architects designed it to have a wraparound view of Iowa City from the highest structure in the county, as a public space. They even designed a special, large room with floor-to-ceiling windows – known as the Press Box Café. During Football season, it’s set up like an indoor tailgate. Every inch of the field is visible from the windows.

In fall 2017, and in a truly grassroots fashion, a mom on social media suggested that Hawk football fans start a new tradition with the Children’s Hospital. The idea went like this:

At the end of the first quarter of every Hawkeye home game, everyone inside Kinnick Stadium was to wave in unison at the new University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, giving the hospitalized children a sort of long-distance hug. Some excitement. Some hope. The idea caught fire on social media.

Sure enough, at the Hawkeyes’ home opener on September 2, it happened. The entire stadium stood, turned around, and waved toward the hospital. The touching moment became the most popular and favorite storyline of the college football season.

Fueled by social media, the new tradition gained popularity immediately. It caught the attention of national news media including ABC, CBS and ESPN. The Hawkeyes were presented with the Disney Spirit Award for 2017 during the Home Depot College Football Awards in Atlanta.

“It’s a simple way for 70,000 people to recognize the kids, the parents and hospital staff who are the real champions, fighting every day to overcome significant medical challenges,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a news release. “I’m proud that a kind gesture has had a profoundly positive impact on so many people in our state and the nation.”

The opportunity to promote the heart-warming tradition included new items to sell in the Hospital’s Gift shop.

Lisa, Bankers Advertising’s promotional consultant, offered some fun promotional items for the gift shop to sell… adorable plush animals sporting t-shirts with the saying, “Wave, Fight, Win.” These huggable friends will be held, hugged and squeezed by its sweet (presumably little) recipients. A great way to remember and promote the tradition! Additionally, the gift shop selected sweatshirts, caps and beanies touting the same verbiage in big, bold letters.

What a fun, and touching way to use promotional products! Bankers Advertising Company is proud to have had the opportunity to be part of the start of the new tradition. At the end of the day, this has nothing to do with football or even promotional products. It’s all about those kids!

Source: www.HawkCentral.com