How PGA Tour Player Phil Mickelson's HOF Status Delivers Halo Benefits
Posted by Ron Amodio on Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 09:18 AM
Another milestone event in Phil Mickelson’s remarkable career as a PGA Tour Player and modern-day ambassador for the game was his recent induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame located in St. Augustine, Florida.
What makes Phil’s accomplishment unique to the sport of professional golf is the fact that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame while still very competitive on the PGA Tour. And that’s good news for Phil’s sponsors as his Hall of Fame status is likely to deliver halo benefits for Callaway, Barclays, KPMG, Amgen / Pfizer, Exxon Mobil, Rolex, Golf Digest and PGATour.com.
Their golf sponsorships represent the opportunity to collectively and separately show their support for Phil and the honor bestowed upon him by the World Golf Hall of Fame in the form of congratulatory ads that reinforce their brands' connection to one of golf’s greatest players.
In terms of activation, here are a few other ways Phil’s sponsors could effectively capitalize on his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame while he’s still at the top of his game.
Leverage Authenticity
Phil has won many a golf tournament, including major championships, using Callaway golf clubs. Who can forget that final-round six iron he hit on 13 at Augusta National in 2010 on the way to winning his 3rd green jacket? So, Phil’s winning performance is authentically linked to the Callaway equipment he uses (i.e., clubs, ball, glove, shoes and bag) and could be a part of Phil’s memorabilia displayed at the World Golf Hall of Fame. And it reinforces Callaway’s linkage to Phil’s well deserved moniker as a newly-minted Hall of Famer.
Inspire Others
Not long ago, Phil was diagnosed with a form of arthritis that could have ended his career. Through a treatment plan using Amgen / Pfizer, Phil is back playing golf without pain and setting his sights on winning more majors. So, thanks to Amgen / Pfizer, Phil is now able to extend his Hall of Fame career and continue to inspire millions of others with similar inflammatory arthritic conditions.
Overcome Challenges
An integral part of KPMG’s golf sponsorship with Phil is drawing a parallel between the way Phil overcomes challenges on the golf course to the way KPMG helps their corporate clients overcome challenges in business. A good example is the manner in which Phil was able to refocus and adapt after he and two members of his family faced and overcame health issues. It's such values and traits of leadership that Phil shares with KPMG and serve as the foundation which guides his Hall of Fame career.
Foster Education Initiatives
When it comes to education, Phil Mickelson practices what he preaches as he graduated from Arizona State University before turning pro. And it follows that Phil and his sponsor, Exxon Mobil, share the common goal of promoting math and science education as a means of making America more competitive. And they expanded the initiative to include teachers through the Exxon Mobil Mickelson Teachers Academy which was established in 2008. So, Phil’s induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame can only heighten awareness for this great program as he serves as a role model for parents, teachers and students alike in the advocacy of learning skills that will help them succeed in life.
Our colleague, Bill Colvin , is constantly working with Humana and his other corporate clients to help ensure the success of their golf sponsorships. In fact, many of the golf ambassadors he recruited for his corporate clients have served in that capacity for five years or more. And two players, in particular, received honors that rubbed off on their sponsors.
Bill can be reached on his cell at 216-272-7779 or by email: bill@colvinsports.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: billcolvin.
To learn more about how our strategic partner, Colvin Sports Network, serves as an advocate for companies exploring marketing opportunities with professional golfers, click on the button below.
Photo Credit, World Golf Hall of Fame Building: World Golf Hall of Fame.org
