Minutes before two of the most passionate fan bases in baseball settle in for the World Series, the advertising agencies for the Red Sox and Cardinals have thrown the first brushback pitches of the Fall Classic and set some unique terms for a bet. Boston-based CTP and St. Louis-based HLK have gone beyond typical taunting. The Beards vs. Birds Challenge will play out throughout the World Series with original content and barbs on social media (@ctpboston / @HLKagency) and at beardsvsbirds.com.

“This is a fun way to celebrate a pair of great baseball cities, the teams we love, and our pride in being the agencies for two first-class organizations,” said CTP president Fred Conover. “As St. Louis fans know all too well, the road to a championship usually ends with Duck Boats through Boston.”

“This is a great opportunity to shine a light on what could be the difference in this otherwise evenly-matched series–the teams’ advertising efforts,” said Joe Leahy, partner at HLK. “We are looking forward to witnessing the World Series parade through our office windows.”

The payoff?

LOSING AGENCY MAKES DONATION TO WINNING TEAM’S CHARITY. CTP would donate to Cardinals Care, the team’s non-profit foundation providing assistance to children’s agencies through efforts such as building baseball fields and supporting youth baseball teams. HLK would donate to Red Sox Scholars, which provides mentoring, enrichment activities and college scholarships to 220 Boston Public School students.

LOSING AGENCY CEO INTERNS FOR THE DAY at the winning agency.
LOSING AGENCY SERVES WINNING AGENCY DINNER. If Boston loses, CTP will bring Harpoon Ale, Fenway Franks and clam chowder to HLK. If St. Louis loses, HLK will bring Budweiser, toasted ravioli and pork steaks to CTP.

LOSING AGENCY TURNS WEBSITE AND SOCIAL CHANNELS OVER TO WINNER THE DAY OF THE VICTORY PARADE. The winner will also re-write the email signatures of the losing agency and the receptionist must answer the phone with, “Congratulations to the World Series Champion (Boston/St. Louis), you have reached (HLK/CTP).”

LOSING AGENCY WILL RE-NAME SOFTBALL TEAM IN HONOR OF WINNING TEAM

About CTP

CTP (Conover Tuttle Pace) is a full-service agency coming off a record year that featured double-digit growth and dozens of industry awards. Independent since its founding in 1996, CTP and its more than 50 employees are based in the North End of Boston and help a wide range of clients build their brands, reputations, digital impact, and their businesses. CTP teams work seamlessly across new and traditional marketing disciplines, including interactive development, social media, brand promotion, broadcast and video production, advertising and public relations. For more information please visit ctpboston.com, follow @ctpboston and like CTP on Facebook.