Does Your Agency REALLY Get Pickleball?
The pickleball boom is a goldmine for advertising and PR agencies, but success demands more than just knowing the sport exists. To create campaigns that resonate, agencies must delve into the unique culture and demographics of the pickleball community.
In recent years, I've seen an increasing number of agencies reach out to tap into my understanding of the pickleball world, from player mindset to professional opportunities. Pickleball might have been around since 1965, but the nuances of marketing within it are still being discovered.
This is where my immersion sessions and consulting come in. I partner with agencies to provide insights that ensure maximum ROI for their clients. My expertise guides them on how to create successful experiences that players love and pinpoints the best strategies within professional pickleball for optimal reach, both broadcast and onsite.
Commonly Asked Questions: Unveiling Pickleball Opportunities
Navigating Professional Pickleball Sponsorships:
“My client wants to sponsor professional pickleball. We are unsure of the opportunities with professional pickleball leagues. Can you help us understand the pro landscape? ”
The professional pickleball landscape is dynamic and evolving. Several tours and leagues exist, each with its unique audience and reach. Understanding their differences is crucial for effective brand alignment.
Pickleball in the Sun can help you navigate this landscape, identify the right event sponsorships for your client, and explore sponsorship options like title sponsorships, team sponsorships, or courtside branding and event activation.
“Our client wants to sponsor a professional pickleball player, what are those opportunities? ”
Player sponsorships offer a direct connection with passionate pickleball fans. It's essential to select players whose values and audience align with your client's brand. Over the last five years I've watched the pro players grow in the sport and have a pulse on the current up-and-coming players.
Pickleball in the Sun can help identify top players that would align well with your client's brand. As well as continue to help grow professional pickleball and build a following for these players building their careers.
Crafting Unique Pickleball Events:
“Our client wants to create a unique event that incorporates pickleball. Where should we do this? Where are the pickleball courts? Where do we begin planning this? ”
Location is key for pickleball events. Finding courts and venues, along with understanding the local pickleball communities, can be challenging.
Pickleball in the Sun can help you scout the best locations, from dedicated pickleball facilities to creating your own custom branded court(s), and tap into local networks for maximum participation.
“We’re going to create a pickleball tournament. How should we set this up?”
While tournaments are popular, pickleball players crave a fun, social experience. So don't always default to thinking the best strategy for your client is to create a tournament when you hear they want a pickleball event.
Pickleball in the Sun can help you go beyond the traditional tournament format and create a truly unique event, incorporating clinics, exhibitions, food and beverage experiences, and entertainment, ensuring a memorable experience for participants and spectators alike.
Pickleball Gear and Connections:
“Where can we get custom pickleball paddles and swag for our client? ”
High-quality, custom-branded gear adds a professional touch and serves as a lasting reminder of your client's involvement.
Pickleball in the Sun can connect you with reliable suppliers for custom paddles, apparel, and other pickleball swag, ensuring your brand stands out on and off the court. Additionally, providing recommendations on what giveaways specifically would get pickleball players excited and remember your brand. Example: pickleball players don't typically use a paddle cover. Don't spend your money on those!
“Where are the best indoor pickleball clubs and outdoor venues located and who are the best people to contact? ”
Indoor clubs offer year-round play and with more opening around the United States, they are providing more opportunities for full venue rental to create weather safe events for brands. In addition, there are facilities expanding offering the capability to host large events where you can utilize 8+ pickleball courts.
Pickleball in the Sun can provide a curated list of premier indoor pickleball clubs and pickleball facilities in your desired region, along with contact information for key decision-makers, enabling you to forge valuable partnerships.
Leveraging Influencer Marketing:
“We see there are many celebrities and influencers playing pickleball, who should we reach out to as part of our client’s influencer strategy for an upcoming event? ”
Influencer marketing can amplify your reach and engage the pickleball community.
Pickleball in the Sun can help you identify influencers whose audience aligns with your client's target market and develop authentic collaborations that generate buzz and excitement around your event.
Pickleball Retreats and Experiences:
“We’re having an upcoming retreat and want to incorporate pickleball, where are the best resorts that have multiple pickleball courts onsite?”
Pickleball is a perfect addition to corporate retreats or group getaways. Afterall, "pickleball is the new golf" for networking and everyone will get excited to hear you're playing pickleball on your next trip!
We created the Pickleball in the Sun brand for this very reason. Our team can provide recommendations for resorts with top-notch pickleball facilities and experienced staff, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable pickleball experience for your group. LEARN MORE about our Pickleball in the Sun Corporate Retreats.
Ready to chat?
Over the last five years Laura Gainor has dedicated her time to better understand pickleball and I enjoy helping others to do the same. She has found her valuable understanding of the pickleball world, and her passion for creating impactful experiential events, is an asset that empowers you to skip the research step for your clients and have an expert help strategize your marketing campaigns.
We look forward to the months ahead to connect with even more talented marketing professionals and our agencies, Vossberg Gainor and Pickleball in the Sun, partnering with you to benefit your client...and have a lot of fun along the way!
Contact: laura@pickleballinthesun.com