CASE STUDY

Fun Brands reopens with 70,000 local impressions from community sponsorships

Summary:

After two locations closed, Fun Brands wanted to reopen each location but risked low local awareness. Through community sponsorships and nonprofit partners, they reintroduced each store with 70,000+ local impressions and renewed visibility with families.

Results Snapshot

  • 8 local sponsorships secured
  • Nonprofit sponsorships for each opening
  • 70,000 total local impressions
  • 50,700 reached digitally
  • 19,600 reached in person
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The challenge : re-establishing family visibility under pressure

Fun Brands faced the risk of reopening two inflatable party centers (Pump-It-Up in Norwalk, CT, and BounceU in Clarksburg, MD) without regaining visibility in their local markets. Families had moved on during closures. With spring ending, school programs were already wrapping up.

At the same time, Fun Brands wanted to ensure that its community-focused tradition continued by selecting local nonprofits to receive sponsorship dollars for each reopening.

The challenge was finding good-fit sponsorship opportunities that could efficiently reach families in the right ZIP codes while also identifying worthy local partners under a tight timeline.

Our solution : targeted sponsorships with a community payoff

Fun Brands needed targeted visibility that felt authentic to local families. ZipSprout focused on community nonprofits and organizations that reached parents with elementary-aged children in the ZIP codes surrounding each store.

By aligning with school-based groups, youth programs, and local nonprofits, Fun Brands could both reintroduce its venues and uphold its tradition of donating grand opening proceeds to community partners.

Each location was matched with a nonprofit partner:

  • KEYS in Connecticut: supporting music education opportunities for children
  • Derek Sheely Foundation in Maryland: promoting concussion education and awareness

These partnerships ensured that the grand openings carried a clear community benefit alongside renewed family visibility.

Our process : expanding research and vetting every opportunity

We started with ZipSprout’s internal sponsorship database and expanded outward to ensure both stores reopened with strong local visibility.

  1. Initial outreach: Contacted local organizations in our network through the sponsorship finder tool.
  2. Expanded research: Conducted hand-curated searches to uncover additional opportunities, especially in markets with limited established events.
  3. Evaluation: Assessed each opportunity for audience fit, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with Fun Brands’ family focus.
  4. Direct engagement: Built relationships with community leaders and nonprofit directors to confirm interest, negotiate terms, and clarify sponsorship benefits.
  5. Activation: Coordinated details like signage, event tables, flyer distribution, and digital placements to ensure visibility at both in-person and online touchpoints.

The roadblocks : high costs and tight timing

In Norwalk, many community and neighborhood events were both exclusive and expensive, which limited access to families. We pivoted our outreach toward PTAs, little leagues, and local parenting blogs.

In Clarksburg, sponsorship opportunities were priced higher than expected, creating pressure to find cost-effective alternatives. We focused on schools, recreation programs, and moms’ groups, where community leaders were open to partnerships and eager to connect families with local events.

The timing of the campaign also added urgency. Because the work took place in late spring, many school programs were winding down. That made summer events the most reliable path to reach families and reinforced the need for quick decisions.

The results : 70,000 impressions and restored local trust

The campaign delivered measurable visibility for both store re-openings. In Norwalk, ZipSprout secured five local sponsorships, while in Clarksburg, three were secured.

Each location partnered with a nonprofit for its grand opening, which kept Fun Brands’ community commitment front and center.

Across both markets, sponsorships and digital placements generated over 70,000 local impressions. Digital channels, including websites, email newsletters, and social media, reached 50,700 people. Another 19,600 people saw Pump It Up and BounceU through in-person events, signage, and sponsorship activations.

Together, these touchpoints positioned both venues as trusted options for families planning birthday parties and re-established their local presence from day one.

Key Results:

  • 8 local sponsorships secured across both markets
  • Nonprofit sponsored at both openings
  • 70,000 total local impressions delivered
  • 50,700 reached through digital channels
  • 19,600 reached through in-person events

Client overview:

Fun Brands operates national franchises of indoor inflatable play centers, including Pump-It-Up and BounceU, where families host parties and events.

  • Industry: Family entertainment/children’s parties
  • Size: Multi-location franchise, national presence
  • Location: United States