Bengals' brand has never been greater, and the reason is clear
Free agents and draft picks over the last three years have changed the Cincinnati Bengals for the better, as have sisters Elizabeth and Caroline Blackburn, the grandchildren of Mike Brown. And while they have bloodlines to founder owner Paul Brown, their arrival and emergence in the organization was never nepotistic. They're only here because they're […]
Free agents and draft picks over the last three years have changed the Cincinnati Bengals for the better, as have sisters Elizabeth and Caroline Blackburn, the grandchildren of Mike Brown.
And while they have bloodlines to founder owner Paul Brown, their arrival and emergence in the organization was never nepotistic. They're only here because they're more than qualified to accomplish what they've set out to do.
“We never wanted to come back only because it was our family’s thing,” Caroline told Corrie Schaffeld of the Cincinnati Business Courier. “We kind of made a pact with each other: We’re not coming back unless there’s a clear role for us to advance the business.”
It's clearly worked.
Caroline, Manager of Digital Strategy, and Elizabeth, Director of Strategy and Engagement, have elevated the Bengals' brand as high as the team has soared on the field in recent years. Their efforts to grow the team's presence on a national stage has paid off tremendously.
According to Schaffeld's feature piece, the Bengals were the hottest team in terms of social engagement and have experienced monumental growth on digital platforms since the arrivals of the Blackburn sisters.
In the 12-month period ending in January 2023, the Bengals led the NFL in overall social engagement, and have expanded their social following by 74% across all platforms since 2019. – CBC's Corrie Schaffeld
No matter what social media platform you frequent, you'll find the Bengals' ever-expanding presence there. Their knack for incorporating specific fans, traditions, and current trends into content has only strengthened their growing reach.
Marketability also benefits from the product being successful, and the Bengals becoming a winning franchise again certainly has helped. This current run has been coupled with greater efforts to market star players like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, whereas the winning Bengals teams of the past didn't capitalize on those opportunities.
The Blackburn sisters weren't the only new additions to the staff as well. The club recently hired Lacy Ekert as Chief Partnership Officer, and promoted Brian Sells to Chief Business Officer. Both are moves that have become necessary as the franchise continues to pursue greater business ventures, such as selling their stadium's naming rights last Summer.
For how much different things are for the Bengals on the field, just as much change has occurred in the offices. The progression of both aspects have accelerated the franchise into the limelight, with no signs of leaving any time soon.
Featured image via Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
