As you gather around your television this Sunday to watch the Super Bowl, amidst the thrilling game and captivating commercials, you might find yourself contemplating the idea of starting a business. Surprising as it may seem, this is precisely what the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation aims to provoke.
A Bold Initiative: The Entrepreneurial Call to Action
For the first time in its history, the Kansas City-based nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship is seizing the Super Bowl platform to broadcast a compelling message. With a 30-second commercial slot, the foundation endeavors to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit within viewers and encourage them to embark on their startup journey.
Wendy Guillies, the vice president of communications at Kauffman, emphasizes the urgency of cultivating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Citing the well-known statistic that underscores the pivotal role of young companies in job creation, Guillies underscores the imperative of expanding the pool of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Empowering Aspirants: Navigating the Startup Landscape
Central to Kauffman’s Super Bowl campaign is the launch of a dedicated microsite, WillItBeYou.com, designed to serve as a gateway to valuable startup resources. Through this platform, individuals contemplating entrepreneurship can access a curated collection of resources spanning inspiration, mentoring, networking, and more. These resources, drawn from approximately 17 partner sites including the Angel Resource Institute and the Startup America Partnership, aim to demystify the startup journey and provide comprehensive support to budding entrepreneurs.
Guillies elucidates the foundation’s vision of simplifying the process of startup exploration, envisioning WillItBeYou.com as a user-friendly hub where aspiring entrepreneurs can readily access the guidance and tools needed to kickstart their ventures.
Leveraging Opportunity: Maximizing Impact on a Budget
While the decision to air a commercial during the Super Bowl may seem extravagant for a nonprofit organization, Kauffman strategically navigates the landscape to optimize its impact. By securing ad slots at a fraction of the standard cost and limiting the broadcast to select markets, the foundation maximizes exposure while maintaining fiscal prudence.
Moreover, Kauffman’s prudent approach extends to the production of the commercial itself. Opting for an animated illustration developed in-house, the foundation bypasses exorbitant agency fees without compromising on creativity or impact. For Kauffman, the objective isn’t merely to save costs but to leverage the unparalleled reach of the Super Bowl to amplify its message and reach a vast audience of potential entrepreneurs.
Conclusion: Inspiring Entrepreneurship on the Grand Stage
In harnessing the cultural phenomenon of the Super Bowl, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation embarks on a bold mission to inspire and empower aspiring entrepreneurs. By leveraging the power of advertising and digital platforms, Kauffman endeavors to catalyze a wave of entrepreneurial innovation and drive economic growth. As millions of viewers tune in to the Super Bowl, Kauffman’s message serves as a beacon of opportunity, inviting individuals to ponder the question: Will it be you?
