A Masterclass in Branding, Marketing and Engagement from the Savannah Bananas
A few weeks ago I took my baseball-loving kids to see the Savannah Bananas game and it was quite literally B-A-N-A-N-A-S. I follow some of the players on Instagram and have watched some games on ESPN, but it didn’t prepare me for actually participating with a sold-out crowd in T-Mobile Park.
As a marketer, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the entire experience since. It’s a masterclass in branding, marketing and engagement.
Who Are the Savannah Bananas?
If you haven’t heard of them, the Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team—like the Harlem Globetrotters, but for baseball. There’s a dancing umpire, choreographed walk-up songs, a player on stilts, surprise celebrity guests—all while playing an actual game of baseball.
The game has a two-hour limit and extra points are awarded for players who make trick plays.
Defining Themselves by What They’re Not
What struck me was how strong the Savannah Bananas brand has become—and it’s not about who they are, but how clearly they define what they aren’t.
They didn’t just add trick plays to a baseball game. They changed rules, added more involvement from fans, and made attending a baseball game more fun. They’ve added a show element that feels like I’m half watching a Broadway performance, half watching baseball.
That combination is so popular it sells out MLB stadiums. Creating that environment both online and in real life takes commitment to your vision.
“We are not your typical baseball team. We are different. We take chances. We toe the line. We test the rules. We challenge the way things are ‘supposed’ to be.”
And they don’t just say it, they show it.
Fans First. Entertain Always.
The Savannah Bananas’ mission statement says it all: Fans First. Entertain Always.
They involve fans in the game—if a fan catches a foul ball in the stands, it counts as an out. Players go into the stands for musical numbers, and they bring out adults and kids alike for games between innings or even when the teams switch sides.
At the game we attended, a contest between innings turned out to be a setup for a fan’s marriage proposal. Bringing the audience in on the action is more than engagement—it turns spectators into super fans.
Accessibility is Part of the Brand
Focusing on fans first during the game is one thing, but getting people to attend is another. In this economy, spending money on entertainment can be hard.
When we found out we’d won the lottery to get tickets, I braced myself for the cost—only to find them reasonably priced. The seats were actually less than a regular season Mariners game for our family of five.
That commitment to accessibility proves this organization isn’t just putting on a show—they’re making sure families can afford to enjoy it.
Lessons for Marketers
Between the Savannah Bananas brand, their high-energy in-person experience, and their strong social media presence, I’ve become a bit of a super fan.
I keep thinking of lessons I can take from that game to my work life:
How can I target my audience better?
How can we engage our audience so they become loyal to our brand?
How can we attract new customers?
The answers are often to write more content, create a new campaign, or tell more stories. But the biggest takeaway from the Savannah Bananas is simple: the more you give, the more you get.
This organization has prioritized their audience above everything—and they’re reaping the rewards.
It’s why, when working with clients, we always focus on why you exist and who you’re serving. Honing in on your “why” provides clarity and consistency for your brand and your marketing—and ultimately helps you hit it out of the park.
Ready to Step Up to the Plate?
Want to take your marketing or brand strategy from rec ball to the major leagues? We can help. Reach out to our marketing team today.
