At the end of the 2023 Volleyball Season, we had two seniors join our list of Pro Hogs by getting drafted into the Professional Volleyball Federation (PVF), which was the newest pro volleyball organization at the time. These players were Jill Gillen and Maggie Cartwright, both beloved players from the program and huge parts of the successful run to the Elite 8 Match vs Nebraska.
Going into the next season, I wanted to make sure we took the time to highlight and celebrate this huge accomplishment for these athletes. There was one thing I had not done yet as a Sport Marketer that I had been looking for the right moment, to produce a Bobblehead. I have seen past bosses and co-workers create bobbleheads for their programs and I thought I would try my hand at creating one. So in March of 2024, I had started my Bobblehead creation story.
When promoting this unique giveaway, we wanted to auld to a mystery. We announced it in our promo schedule a Mystery Bobblehead, later releasing step by step teasers for the bobblehead. First it was completely a mystery, then we teased a silhouette showcasing it was a two-in one bobble. Then we asked fans to guess who they are thinking it could be. We had several fans guess one of the two, but not both. We unveiled the bobblehead at the Home Game prior to the giveaway night.
Adding to our promotion plan for the match and the Bobblehead Giveaway, we had both of our Pro Hogs Jill and Maggie giving an "unboxing review". Jill was local as she was part-time coaching staff, but for Maggie we did end up having to ship her the Bobblehead. Seeing both of their reactions and adding personality to the bobbleheads we a create touch. It had also created great content for our social media platforms.
Quick shout out to our graphic designer AJ Enloe who had helped create such an amazing looking box design with their draft numbers on the side. (My favorite feature!)
I absolutely love leaning into the holidays when it comes to promotional themes and content, so when I put the schedule together and saw the date was near Halloween I got to brainstorming.
I came up with a Community Trick or Treat, more like No Tricks, only Treats. I went around Campus and the City of Fayetteville to leave the Bobbleheads at iconic locations for fans to have a chance of getting one before anyone else.
I had left a note that to the box, "Happy Halloween. Found Me! I'm Yours" along with a Halloween discount vendor that was good for one Razorback Football game or any Volleyball and Women's Basketball games in the month of November.
I placed them around campus at 4pm on Halloween Night and by the time I was heading the work the next morning, they all had been grabbed! Great Success!