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Events and Attractions

Low-tech fun featured at Fanfest

From the MLB All-Star Game, Washington, D.C.

Two of the top draws at this year’s All-Star Fanfest were decidedly low tech.

New Era’s “Human Claw” activation was a huge hit at the MLB All-Star Fanfest in D.C.terry lefton

At its peak, New Era’s “Human Claw” attraction, in which consumers were suspended over a prize pit like the classic arcade game, was attracting lines in excess of two hours. Nearby, Hankook Tire’s oversized pinball game was also drawing crowds of kids, some of whom admitted they’d never played an actual pinball game.

Geico’s routine activation seemed out of place for the title Fanfest sponsor; we’ll be interested to see if the insurer returns after the Midsummer Classic moves away from the home of its headquarters.

Since we’re continuing to wonder if the health care category will take on more national sports sponsorships, Kaiser Permanente’s activation, for which it was granted only temporary rights, was intriguing. It was largely digital and static signage encouraging fans to take “a green path.”

KP has been an NBA corporate sponsor since 2015. However, we’re told that the D.C. market was more interesting to it than MLB. Octagon is Kaiser Permanente’s sports marketing agency. 

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