Can Indy 500 Star Tweet Her Way To @TheEllenShow Success?
by Dave Kerpen
Indy 500 driver, Sarah Fisher, who has the most number of a starts for a woman in the 93-year history of the Indy500, is writing a book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Getting Behind The Wheel Of Their Dream Job, that comes out this May 2010. The book features quotes from pioneering women in their respective industries and refers to talk show host, entertainment star, and female pioneer Ellen DeGeneres. In an attempt to get a quote from Ellen, to invite her to the Indianapolis 500, and obviously to generate buzz around the book, Sarah launched a campaign on Twitter, @Ellen2Indy500.
The campaign was launched on 1/6/10 and the initiative gained some when one of Indianapolis’ posh hotels, The Conrad Indianapolis, offered to house Ellen while she is in town for the race, should she decide to attend.
Ellen, one of the top 5 accounts on Twitter with over 4 million followers, is actually now following Sarah’s personal account. ESPN posted an article on the campaign and it seems to be gaining steam.
Will this innovative Twitter campaign lead to a quote from Ellen for Sarah Fisher’s book, an appearance by Ellen at the Indy 500, an appearance on the Ellen Show by Sarah, or all of the above? That certainly remains to be seen, but the campaign has already succeeded in generating buzz for Sarah, her forthcoming book, and the Indy 500.
What do you think? Innovative or desperate? Buzzworthy for long term success or flash-in-the-pan? Feel free to share your thoughts on this and other innovate Twitter campaigns you’ve seen in the comments.
Love the campaign!!! Can’t wait to see Ellen at the 500. Sarah will succeed at this as she has everything else. She is a determined woman an great inspiration to other women.
It’s innovative as heck.
You have what some still consider, the premier open-wheel auto racing event in America. But yet, with THREE female drivers for the last couple of years, most only know Danica.
Danica gets major sponsorship money, SI swimsuit issues and ESPN coverage if she sneezes.
Milka Duno has sponsorship in the form of Venezuelan oil cartel and although a horrible driver, has model looks.
But yet Sarah Fisher Racing has had to do it all on her own. EVEN when she was the ONLY female racing at the Indy500. She’s built the team on her own, raised her OWN money and now is doing her OWN major PR campaign. Why the heck not?
Sadly other than the Indy500, Indy Racing will be buried on Comcast’s Versus network for the next several years and so true TV coverage will and CAN only happen for Sarah at the Indy500, why not shoot for the moon with Ellen. There’s only upside to these efforts.
Thanks for your comments! We’re big fans of inspirational women @theKbuzz – I’m inspired by my wife and Queen Bee @carriekerpen every day.
I follow Sarah on Twitter & when I first saw the campaign, I smiled and thought good for her! She’s no f-i-t-p! It’s innovative and fun – and fits w/ Ellen in a lot of ways. Plus, everybody HAS to experience at least one Indy 500 in their lifetime (I’m still looking forward to mine), and Ellen et al would enjoy it and learn a lot. Go Sarah!
I am an Ex Racer and would love to see my Favorite Comedian at the Race!
I Would Love to See ELLEN at The Indy Race! @Hunib213