The World Series of Poker and its often-ridiculous marketing efforts reached epic new lows this week when a mascot was introduced to the public at the start of the 2018 WSOP Main Event. His name is Chippy and is a WSOP chip six-foot-tall wearing over-sized novelty sunglasses and headphones, a crooked WSOP.com hat and a gold-grilled perma-smile.
However, WSOP Executive Director and Senior Vice President of Caesars Interactive Ty Stewart cleared that Chippy is a gaming instrument and designed to market gaming to minors.
Stewart believes people come to the WSOP for memories and to experience a little bit of what they’ve seen on TV. In his mind, the experience should be equal parts fun and ridiculousness, that’s why after marketing scheme from frisbee dogs to announcer Michael Buffer and his brother Bruce, chipy is the best marketing direction to target people without being selective.
“A mascot at a poker tournament feels a little ridiculous and that’s why I hope players will come to love him.” Said Stewart
Plans are to use Chippy in all sorts of ways. The character will greet fans and appear on live Twitch streams on WSOP.com. Plus, the new mascot will be part of a special promotion, inviting the public to take a selfie with Chippy.
