We have talked from time to time about the lack of activation in sport for one of the most vibrant and engaged audiences out there; seniors and baby boomers. It is a segment of the population that has vast consumer experience, knows how to activate in groups, has defined spending habits and in many cases a large amount of disposable time and purchases more high ticket items, like cars, more than any other segment of the population. They influence spending habits, young people, voting patterns and public policy. Yet for all the time sports looks to engage the young and the first adopter, the larger group (albeit sometimes with less disposable income) still goes largely ignored.
However in the last few weeks one innovative brand in a major market has created an opportunity to engage that audience directly, in the sport which has one of the oldest demographic group in professional sport in North America. WFAN-AM (660), the Yankees Radio Network and their brand partner Prudential are offering an opportunity to bring an older audience a chance to create “chapter two” in their careers with their “Play by Play Challenge” contest.
One lucky winner will call a recorded inning at the WFAN studios with Yankees broadcaster John Sterling. The winner will also receive a tour of the Yankee Radio Network broadcast booth, a meet and greet with Sterling and co-announcer Suzyn Waldman and a tour of CBS New York Studios.
The contest makes great sense for Prudential, a financial services firm which understands the spending power of seniors, and also understands the time and interests of the demo. While finding a new “young” voice has been done tine and again, rarely has a franchise gone looking for a distinctive older voice; one which may not be a staple in broadcasting for decades to come, but one which may be distinctive fun and appreciative of the effort. Sometimes we forget the legacy of seniors and the stories they can tell, especially with the memory of a lifetime of sports experience. While there is no doubt that young people would cherish the opportunity to jump in with the voice of the Yankees, there could be even more appeal, and a better ROI for the investing brand, by looking to older.
Smart move by the Yankees and their media partner, and for their brand for finding a unique way to cut through the clutter.
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