Playing with HeartBaseball fans, this one’s for you. Over two years, we’ve transformed America’s pastime into a stat-focused, culturally relevant campaign that meets fans where they are while educating about the risks of bad cholesterol and ASCVD and providing them with the tools and resources they need to step up for their heart health.
The Problem: ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) is the leading cause of death in the United States, but a key risk factor—bad cholesterol—often flies under the radar, leaving millions of people vulnerable to this silent killer.
The Ask: Raise awareness of bad cholesterol and how it can contribute to ASCVD while inspiring those at risk to take action, get tested, and protect their hearts.
The Solution: The program launched in St. Louis alongside partners Adam Wainwright, former Cardinals pitcher, and Sierra Kile, daughter of famed pitcher Darryl Kile, who passed away in 2002 from a heart attack. Sierra’s first pitch against the Brewers, alongside Wainwright, honored the late pitcher while bringing attention to the ASCVD-related condition that took his life.
For our second year, we swung for the fences, partnering with nine MLB baseball teams, 16 baseball legends, and heart health nonprofit WomenHeart. Each team and highlighted legend has their own connection to heart health, making their stories and calls to action more poignant and relevant.
Individual activations featuring key players at renowned stadiums across the country continue to bring this campaign to the heart of cities affected by the disease, amplifying its impact.
Playing with heart: Year 2A quick recap of our second-year activations so far, plus some teasers of what’s to come.
Written by yours truly. Individual player videos to come.
Client: Merck Pharmaceuticals
ECD: Allie Gewertz
ACDs: Sydney Olstad
Melissa Sohmer
Copy: Kelsey Sarracino
Gretchen Smitson
Art: Julia Fitzgerald
Erin Robinson