Well-known fishing brand Zebco, which was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1949, is using one of the most iconic TV theme songs of all time to hook a new generation of anglers.
The campaign is called Catch On and uses as a soundtrack the whistled theme tune to the famed 1960s “The Andy Griffith Show.” You probably remember the show’s intro (below), which features the song as Andy and his son, Opie, stroll near a lake with their fishing rods.
“Studies show the way millennials and other young consumers interact with the outdoors has radically changed,” said Zebco Vice President of Marketing Dave Johns. “For people 16-34, it’s about experiencing the outdoors, about being there with friends and family, and less about a goal or mission.”
Zebco started with an update to “The Fishin’ Hole,” the Andy Griffith theme song, which has long-forgotten lyrics. Twin Cities’ indie/alternative band Bad Bad Hats, themselves millennials, heard about the project conceived and led by Zebco’s brand agency, Modern Climate, and raised their hands to get involved. Their re-recording of the original track with lyrics is a modern-day take on the nostalgic classic and can be seen in a special behind-the-scenes documentary here.
#WhistleToWin
As part of the Catch On campaign, Zebco invites people to submit a video of themselves whistling the catchy song on their social media channels. To enter the weekly contest, post your video to Zebco’s Facebook page with the hashtag #WhistelToWin and you’re done. (Make sure your FB profile is public so Zebco and the world can see your entry.)
Click here to see videos featuring previous #WhistleToWin winners and honorable mentions.