Marketing Lessons from Dodgers’ Magic Johnson 'Bobblehead Hunt' Promotion

The Los Angeles Dodgers are hitting homeruns left and right with their bobblehead promotions. Last week everyone was talking about the RickMonday ‘flag saving’ bobblehead giveaway. This week, the club has announced a new promotion associated with Magic Johnson Bobblehead Night coming up on September 12^th against the Giants. They’re calling it the “#MeetMagic Scavenger Hunt.”

Here are the details for the contest from the Dodgers website:

Want to meet sports legend, and Dodgers owner, Magic Johnson? Here's your chance! Each day at 2 pm, @Dodgers will release clues on Twitter about the location of hidden Magic Johnson Bobbleheads across Southern California. Be the first to arrive at the spot and correctly answer a trivia question, and you could win two suite tickets to the game and a meet and greet with Magic Johnson.

Participants must follow @Dodgers on Twitter in order to be eligible to win.

This promotional contest is a win on so many levels. First, it plays off the skyrocketing popularity of bobblehead giveaways. Second, it does a great job of engaging fans through social media by releasing clues on Twitter. Finally, the Dodgers are spreading the wealth locally. By hiding an autographed Magic Johnson at seven different southern California locales over a seven day period, they’re getting community establishments involved and stimulating the local economy. This isn’t just a Dodgers promotion; it’s now a community promotion. It’s a smart, benevolent move by the organization.

Companies should take advantage of this marketing blueprint that emphasizes custom bobbleheads, social media promotion, and community outreach. Whether you’re part of a global corporation or small business, two primary marketing goals are audience growth and engagement. The Dodgers bobblehead promotion accomplishes both of those objectives in a fun and entertaining way. Be creative and think outside the box. The “Bobblehead Hunt” concept works well for local promotions, in-store contests, tradeshows, company retreats, and more.

Right now you're probably thinking:

• My company doesn't have the same lofty status and enormous following of a major league baseball team.

• My company doesn't have an iconic mascot or famous employee whose custom bobblehead would be recognized outside the office. 

The Marlins have corporate sponsors for bobblehead giveaways, 

including Pepsi and Preferred Care Partners as shown here.

If this is the case, consider sponsoring a bobblehead for local teams or famous personalities. For example, Keck Medical Center of USC is sponsoring Magic Johnson Bobblehead Night. It's practically the equivalent of a celebrity endorsement. Corporate-sponsored custom bobbleheads represent an excellent branding opportunity. Theses figures, including your company’s logo and message, will end up on the bookshelves, mantles, and office desks of decision makers. Think of it as free promotion for your products or services on prime advertising real estate.

Improve marketing results, grow your audience, and engage consumers by visiting CustomBobbleheads.com.

Capture the Special Moments in Life with a Bobblehead

The LA Dodgers held their highly-anticipated Rick Monday ‘FlagSaving’ Bobblehead Night Tuesday to commemorate an awesome act of patriotism that took place on April 25, 1976. That was the day Chicago Cubs outfielder, and former Marine, Rick Monday saved an American flag from being burned by protesters in the outfield at Dodgers Stadium. It was a moment in time many Dodgers, Cubs, and diehard baseball fans probably remember but the casual fan and younger generations not so much. 

This is one of the great things about bobbleheads. They can be used to capture and celebrate a special moment. Bobbleheads are practically like 3-D photographs. People who capture memories in pictures can now immortalize them in bobblehead form. A fascinating story like Rick Monday’s was brought back to life almost 40 years later because of a bobblehead. Lucky fans who were able to snag a bobblehead will likely never forget Monday’s heroic tale as a result of the doll.

You see a lot of bobbleheads, especially in sports, used in this capacity. If a team wins a championship, they create a bobblehead to honor it. If a player wins an award, they get their own bobblehead celebrating the accomplishment. What many fail to realize is bobbleheads aren’t just for athletes and superstars anymore. Custom bobbleheads give everyone an opportunity to commemorate the special events in their lives.

As "King and Queen" of Mardi Gras, this couple was 

given custom bobbleheads to celebrate the occasion.

People turn to bobbleheads for all kinds of occasions including:

• Weddings (Anniversaries and Engagements too)
• Work milestones, especially retirement
• Vacation trips
• Birthdays (even pet birthdays)
• Graduation
• Corporate promotions
• Family Reunions
• All Holidays, especially Christmas, Father's and Mother's Day
• Adult and youth sports recognition
• Fundraisers for a good cause

This gentleman, a long-time barber, was presented 

with a bobblehead upon his retirement.

Basically, any extraordinary occurrence in your personal or professional life can be recreated and remembered with a bobblehead. Visit CustomBobbleheads.com to capture your moment forever.

For those who don't know the Rick Monday story, watch this video.