Metrics from Caitlin Clark’s social campaign with Wilson show Indiana Fever star’s remarkable power as influencer (Image credit: Imagn)
The Caitlin Clark effect has been felt far and wide across the US. From the Indiana Fever enjoying sell-out games at home and on the road, the 2024 Rookie of the Year has been crushing it both on and off the court.
On Thursday, Wilson Basketball’s marketing manager, Erin Jentz, posted on LinkedIn about a marketing campaign the company did featuring Clark. At the time, the campaign was done to welcome Clark to the Wilson brand.
Although the group worked on the social media campaign for just 2.5 weeks, it was the most successful online campaign for the company this year, showing just how impactful Clark is as an influencer.
“Overall, it was the most successful social campaign of the year, topping 2.7 million in reach with 1.4 million views and nearly 300,000 engagements. It was amazing to be a small part of the phenomenon that is Caitlin Clark,” Jentz wrote.
This, of course, isn’t surprising given that earlier this month, Dr. Ryan Brewer, a valuation expert in the finance field, estimated that Clark directly contributed to a 300% rise in WNBA viewership.
Caitlin Clark responds to controversial US political commentator’s criticism in the wake of her TIME Magazine interview
TIME Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year Caitlin Clark spoke with the outlet about wanting to uplift black players in the WNBA, specifically those who paved the way for her and made the league what it is today.
In doing so, she touched on the topic of white privilege, which didn’t sit well with one US political commentator Megyn Kelly, who ripped the Indiana Fever star on X, formerly known as Twitter.
On Wednesday, Caitlin Clark was one of the speakers at the A Year in TIME event in New York. NBC Sports’ Maria Taylor asked her about the criticism from Kelly in the wake of her TIME interview.
“I know there have been so many amazing Black women that have been in this league, and continuing to uplift them is very important,” Clark said. “And that’s something I’m very aware of. I just try to be real, and authentic, and share my truth, and I think that’s very easy for me.
“I’m very comfortable in my own skin, and that’s how it has been my entire life. … I think my best skill is just blocking out the noise, and hopefully it continues to be, because with the way things are going and where the WNBA is going, you want that attention, and you embrace it, and that’s what makes this so fun.”
While Caitlin Clark won’t be playing in the Unrivaled 3×3 league set to tip off in January, it’s clear that between now and the 2025 WNBA season, she will continue to generate tons of attention.