Where boring ends
The Owala College Pickleball Tour was built to bring the brand’s bold personality directly to campus life. Partnering with Owala, Brand Revolution developed a high-energy, on-brand activation that transformed quads and rec centers at Ohio State University, Indiana University, and Nebraska University into vibrant arenas for play, connection, and content. With flipped-on-its-head gameplay, playful challenges, and a wide-open approach that welcomed both seasoned players and first-timers, the tour delivered an experience that felt accessible, social, and unmistakably Owala.
Insight-led strategy, designed to scale
From the start, the tour was grounded in student insight and cultural relevance. We researched what motivates students to show up, participate, and share, then built a strategy around environments with strong campus energy and natural foot traffic. Every element - from modified gameplay and court flow to skills zones, giveaways, and personalization moments like engraving - was intentionally designed to maximize engagement while remaining flexible and repeatable. This approach created a scalable playbook that could adapt to different campuses while still feeling authentic at every stop.
A full-scale campus takeover
The vision came to life as a complete Owala takeover, anchored by a custom-branded pickleball court, oversized inflatables, bold signage, and an unmistakable visual presence. Off the court, music, food trucks, the fan-favorite Owala van, and social-ready moments kept energy high and participation flowing. Early stops exceeded expectations, drawing hundreds of students and doubling projected attendance at Ohio State alone. With Indiana successfully completed and Nebraska closing out the inaugural run, the tour proved its impact, and set the stage for expansion to campuses across North America.
