<\/p>\n
Golf announcers aren\u2019t really known for being the loudest or most energetic.<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t quite match the vibe of Topgolf, the high-tech sports entertainment chain that\u2019s been part of the push in recent years to modernize the game of golf and make it less stuffy. So instead of tapping any human golf personalities for its summer campaign, Topgolf made its own: Chaz Mulligan and Birdie Baker, puppets created in collaboration with Jim Henson\u2019s Creature Shop, the visual effects and puppetry studio founded by the creator of the Muppets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just having fun with the idea of the golf broadcast,\u201d Topgolf Chief Brand Officer Geoff Cottrill told Marketing Brew. \u201cWe consider [Chaz and Birdie] two new friends, and they\u2019re offering us a lot of opportunities to connect with new people and encourage people to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the eclectic announcers, Topgolf has a few other tricks up its sleeve this summer and beyond, all of which are focused on positioning golf as fun and accessible.<\/p>\n
Chaz and Birdie are featured in the latest iteration of Topgolf\u2019s \u201cCome Play Around\u201d campaign, which started in 2022 and is all about \u201coffering an open invitation for anybody and everybody to come play around with us,\u201d Cottrill said. The puppets made their debut in early June and have so far appeared in a few ads for the brand.<\/p>\n