National Sports Forum: Newsletter Archive

Volume 5 Issue 12

July 12, 2006

Volume 5, Issue 12

ProPuppets Creates Hand Puppets

featuring C.C. Sabathia and Ivan Rodriguez

L.A. Angels Face Not One... But 8,000 C.C. Sabathia's during their June 4th game against the Indians!

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Contact Info: Andy Strasberg, ProPuppets, 619-297-2263; acme1997 @aol.com, www.propuppets.com

Team/Company: Cleveland Indians

Objective: Enhance ticket sales with the help of a novel new premium item.

Program Description: Looking for the next great fun giveaway for your fans? Some- thing new that the kids will especially enjoy? Well -- maybe the answer’s as close as the end of your arm!

At least that’s what the Cleveland Indians found to be the case this past June 4^th when the Tribe took on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim – and all kids received a collectible hand puppet of Indian’s ace, C.C. Sabathia. As the Angels came to the plate at the start of the game, they had the real C.C. out on the mound… and many thousands of his look alikes on all the hands of the kids in the stands that night!

To their credit, ProPuppets are similar to the well-proven bobble head dolls in how closely they resemble the featured player – and as a result they’re proving to be equal parts instant collectible … and fun interactive toy. Said Indians Senior VP of Sales & Marketing: “We were very impressed with the quality of the item as the facial likeness to C.C. was outstanding”.

Created by long-time MLB veteran, Andy Strasberg, ProPuppets were designed to appeal to all age levels of fans – but most especially to kids. According to Strasberg: “There are no batteries needed, no instructions on how to operate … nothing to download. All you need is your imagination to operate.” (And when you’re done featuring currently active players, you can also do puppet replicas of the team/event mascot, announcers, former players, etc.).

Sponsor: In addition to being able to logo onto each hand puppet, each unit also has an imprintable hangtag and comes individually polybagged (…which makes them perfect for inserting coupons or other paper information on the sponsor).

Media: As it so happened that night – the game was being broadcast nationally by ESPN. Not only did the crew do several close-ups of the item, but also later on SportsCenter, ESPN broadcaster Carl Ravich opened the show with a Sabathia puppet perched on his hand.

Looking Ahead: The Indians were the first team to “introduce” ProPuppets to their fans, but judging from the feedback from the night …. they won’t be the last. Said Strasberg: It's almost impossible to hold a ProPuppet without putting it on your hand and having fun-no matter your age. The bottom line results are that ProPuppets generates smiles on fans, sponsors and teams.” Gregovits concurred: "It was entertaining to watch the kids in the stands that night embrace the promotion by holding the C.C. puppets high in the air having fun with it".