Deion Sanders, the former football star turned head coach at the University of Colorado, has found himself at the center of a sales surge for sunglasses after a rival coach criticized his eyewear habits. Jay Norvell, the coach at Colorado State, publicly expressed annoyance at Sanders for not removing his hat and sunglasses when speaking to adults.
Blenders, a sunglasses company based in San Diego, had signed Sanders to launch a new line of sunglasses, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. With the controversy sparked by Norvell’s comments and the upcoming game between Colorado and Colorado State airing on ESPN, all eyes were on Sanders.
People started flooding the internet with searches to find out which brand of sunglasses he wears, and the answer was Blenders. The company saw a massive increase in sales, calls, and emails, attributing the surge to the comments made by Norvell.
Blenders Founder and CEO Chase Fisher expressed his excitement about the unexpected boost in business, stating, We have officially broke the internet today. The timing was insane. Fisher also explained that they had to ramp up their Google search campaign to ensure they appeared at the top of the results when people searched for Coach Prime sunglasses.
The collaboration between Sanders and Blenders showcases how he leverages his personal brand to promote products he likes and seamlessly sells them by appearing on TV every Saturday to a massive audience. The controversy only fueled the interest in his sunglasses, leading to a surge in sales for Blenders.
The Coach Prime signature Blenders sunglasses, available for pre-order, will be released in October in the same gold and black colors as Sanders’ team, the Buffaloes.
Sanders’ passion for sunglasses caught the attention of Blenders, who recognized the opportunity to collaborate with him. The partnership has proved to be a great success, with the first preorder sales campaign in Blenders’ history having a truly massive impact.
While Norvell’s comments might have been intended as a dig at Sanders, they ended up inadvertently boosting business for Blenders. Despite facing criticism, Sanders remains unbothered and focused on his team’s success and his growing business ventures. The sunglasses controversy has not only brought attention to Sanders’ personal brand but has also proven to be a valuable marketing opportunity for Blenders.
As the release of the Coach Prime collection approaches, both Sanders and Blenders are poised for continued success in the world of sunglasses.
In the end, it seems that even negative comments can have a positive outcome. Norvell’s criticism served as a catalyst for increased sales and visibility for Blenders, further solidifying Sanders’ status as a marketing machine. As the game between Colorado and Colorado State approaches, all eyes will be on Sanders, both on and off the field. And it’s safe to say that his sunglasses will continue to be a topic of interest among fans and consumers alike.
