the quietest pickleball paddles
THE SITUATION
spool (loudly) launches the quietest pickleball paddles
Pickleball is rapidly growing, but noise complaints in sound-sensitive locations posed a major threat to its expansion. OWL Sport, in collaboration with Spool, sought to launch the first quiet, high-performance pickleball paddle to address this issue. The challenge? Execute a nationwide launch and secure top talent partnerships within a few weeks.
THE IMPACT
The launch drove a 112% sales increase in its first week and sparked a 300% surge in search interest for the OWL Paddle. Instagram followers jumped 240% in just two days, reflecting strong consumer engagement. Spool secured 998 earned placements and more than 1.1 billion impressions, with top-tier coverage in outlets like the TODAY Show, ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, CNBC, and Men’s Journal, cementing OWL’s position as both a category innovator and cultural disruptor.
THE SOLUTION
Spool acted swiftly, securing crucial media coverage within the pickleball industry to establish credibility and build momentum. To amplify the launch, we showcased the paddle’s quiet playability at a historic, sound-sensitive seminary in NYC. Partnering with tennis legend John McEnroe and NFL great Drew Brees, Spool generated buzz with a TODAY Show appearance (which was 100% earned and not paid or sponsored) and a nationwide media tour, drawing attention from top national journalists and producers.
secured 998 earned placements
instagram followers jumped 240% in 2 days
drove a 112% sales increase