Throwing Shade Has a New Meaning Thanks to Blenders Eyewear and Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders Collaborative Partnership
Brenda Dupré, MMIS
Strategic Partnerships | Board Advisor | Enterprise Relationship Management | Social Impact & Innovation
Strategic awareness and impeccable timing can turn an off-putting remark into an explosive opportunity. Colorado State’s football coach, Jay Norvell said, ”When I talk to grown-ups, I take my hat and glasses off. That’s what my mother taught me." It didn’t take long for that comment to go viral prompting intense excitement everywhere for the Prime 21 sunglasses.
Coach Prime gave an earnest reply during a team meeting. . . “They don’t realize not only are we going to kick their butts, because it’s personal,” while gifting the entire Buffaloes team a pair of his new Coach Prime sunglasses. Giving a new meaning to throwing shade.
For those that might not know, Sanders entered an exclusive collaborative partnership with San Diego based Blenders Eyewear during the Spring of this year.
Blenders Eyewear sold $1.2M of Prime 21 shades in one day! It doesn’t stop there. A couple of days later, Sanders gave Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson a pair of shades before the Colorado vs Colorado State football game. The crowd went wild, and sales continued to soar. No one could’ve predicted the overnight success. It’s certainly a surreal moment for Chase Fisher, CEO, and the Blenders Eyewear team.
Like him or not, Deion Sanders has a larger-than-life persona and a captivating presence on and off the field. His natural ability to engage with people, connect with fans and communicate effectively set the foundation for successfull partnerships such as Nike, PepsiCo, Gillette, and now Blenders Eyewear.
Contemplating a Celebrity Partnership?
Partnering with a celebrity for consumer goods can be a powerful marketing strategy. It’s essential for companies to consider several factors to ensure a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration. Here are 7 key considerations when partnering with a celebrity for consumer goods:
? Brand Values and Image Alignment: Ensure the celebrity’s values, beliefs and public image align with your brand’s identity and target audience.
? Authenticity: The celebrity should have a genuine connection to the product or brand. Having that believability resonates with consumers and gives credibility to the endorsement.
? Relevance: Does the celebrity’s appeal and relevance align with the target demographic for your consumer goods? The celebrity should have a strong following among potential customers.
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? Market Research: Important to understand how consumers perceive both the celebrity and your brand. Will the endorsement positively impact consumer attitudes and purchasing decisions?
? Budget and ROI: Consider the budget requirements including the celebrity fee, marketing costs, and associated expenses. Assess the ROI to determine if the collaboration is financially viable.
? Creative Control: Determine how much the celebrity will have in the marketing campaigns and product development. Striking a balance between the celebrity’s input and your brands vision is?a necessity.
? Long-term | Short-term Goals: Clarify if the partnership is intended for a short-term campaign or a long-term ambassadorship. Short-term partnerships are suitable for specific promotions. Long-term collaborations can build a lasting association with your brand.
What are your thoughts on the future of the Blenders Prime Partnership once the dust settles?
The limited-edition Blenders Eyewear x Coach Prime sunglasses are available in Black or Gold. The retail cost is $67. ?They are available for pre-order with an anticipated ship date of October 12th.
A little trivia question for you: What is the significance of the price point?
Which one or two will you be ordering?
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