with Dave Raymond | The Art of Creating Character Brands and Secrets from the Phillie Phanatic

Welcome back to the Brand to Fan Show! In today's episode, we have an extraordinary guest joining us. It's none other than the legendary Dave Raymond, known as the Phillie Phanatic, the iconic mascot of the Philadelphia Phillies for 16 years! 

Dave shares his incredible journey of how he understood the insecurities of Phillies fans and used the Phanatic to create fun interactions with opposing fans. He also opens up about a chance encounter that made him realize the importance of breaking the wall between fans and players. 

Our host, Lauren Teague, delves deep into Dave's experiences and the fearless leadership that allowed him to be creative and take risks. They also discuss the power of character branding, its impact on creating emotional connections with fans and customers, and how storytelling plays a vital role in building a successful brand. Dave even reveals his process for creating a character brand and shares his mission of spreading joy and kindness through his work. 

Stay tuned for an inspiring conversation that will make you appreciate the power of fandom and the impact it can have on building communities. Let's dive right in with our incredible guest, Dave Raymond!

In this Episode (Time Stamps):

[00:01:01] Dave Raymond: Phillie Phanatic to Mascot Whisperer

[00:07:15] Revered leader sets simple expectations and encourages feedback.

[00:07:57] Creating a character that aligns with the typical Phillie fan 

[00:14:46] Promotions create memorable moments; fandom builds family.

[00:16:58] Family-focused Phillies ownership creates memorable experiences

[00:21:37] No resume, thanks to unexpected career path.

[00:24:21] Sports work, family, and brand impact joy.

[00:27:37] A branding asset that leaves an impact.

[00:33:48] Caring storytelling, unique design, great performance

[00:36:16] How the iconic Gritty mascot originated

[00:41:50] Social media speed led to meme adoption.

[00:45:11] Powerful experiences, joy, kindness, enabling others. Brand and person fan.

[00:46:18] Wawa: a phenomenal convenience store connecting people.

[00:52:05] TL;DL Recap 

[00:55:02] Stop chasing shiny objects, build lasting affinity.

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