Sometimes the biggest marketing moments happen when nobody’s planning them. All it takes is the right product, the right place and a little star power to turn branded merchandise into a viral sensation.
Hollywood superstar Zendaya was photographed in the stands last weekend at the WNBA Finals. The global style icon and highly decorated actress was seen rooting on the Golden State Valkyries while holding a pair of branded BamBams inflatable noisemakers.
The images quickly appeared in major news outlets like Vogue, USA Today, Yahoo Sports and Cosmopolitan.
Fun fact: This appearance came nearly 25 years to the day after BamBams (PPAI 255565, Gold), PPAI 100’s No. 92 supplier, introduced the world to its inflatable noisemaker at the 2002 World Series.
- Of course, in the quarter century since that debut, BamBams have been used by teams in nearly every professional sports association.
“The product has barely changed, and neither has its impact,” says Rachel Wolford, marketing manager at BamBams. “From the bleachers of a 2002 World Series to the pages of Vogue, one of the simplest promotional products ever made is still earning millions of impressions. That is branding power that outlasts the trend cycle.”
For branded merch professionals, the moment serves as a reminder that a product doesn’t have to be expensive to make a lasting impression. Sometimes, the simplest items deliver the greatest impact, especially when they’re tied to experiences that bring people together.
Rachel Wolford
Marketing Manager, BamBams
Whether it’s a championship game, a concert or a community event, merch has a unique ability to become part of the moment rather than just another advertisement.
The Valkyries might have lost the WNBA finals, but the merch industry certainly won some well-earned recognition.
