- eBay UK to launch first cricket marketing campaign at Old Trafford in support of #raisethebat Test Series
- eBay also set to champion Ruth Strauss Foundation with dedicated support for #RedForRuth throughout Test Match
- Special charity auction to launch on eve of Test Match, featuring red commemorative cap signed by all 11 England players featuring in 2019 Lord’s Ashes Test
eBay UK is launching its first ever cricket marketing campaign ahead of the decisive Third Test between England and the West Indies.
The campaign, which will feature eBay branding on LED screens around the edge of the pitch, will play on one of the subplots of the current series, with the message “the perfect all-rounder” a tribute to the world’s top two ranked cricketing all-rounders, Ben Stokes for England and Jason Holder for the West Indies.
eBay is particularly proud to be able to support the brilliant Ruth Strauss Foundation throughout the Test match. The Foundation, which was set up in memory of the wife of former England cricket captain, Sir Andrew Strauss, is dedicated to providing emotional support for families preparing for the death of a parent from cancer, as well as raising support for new research in the fight against non-smoking lung cancers. Along with other match sponsors, eBay will be turning their adverts #RedForRuth on 24th July to promote the cause.
eBay will also be asking all UK customers to show their support for the charity during the Test Match, by making the Ruth Strauss Foundation eBay’s nominated “Give At Checkout” charity. Customers will be asked to donate £1 to £25 directly to the Foundation, with the money going towards training healthcare professionals to provide emotional support for young families as they prepare for the death of a parent from cancer.
Alongside this support, eBay will also be hosting a one-of-a-kind charity auction, starting on the eve of the Test Match and ending on the final day, by promoting bids for a unique, commemorative England players’ cap to raise funds for the Foundation.
The cap, which has been signed by all the England players who featured during the inaugural Ruth Strauss Foundation event on Day Two of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s last year, is coloured red in honour of the charity and will be open to bids from 20:00 hours, 23rd July. The auction will run for five days and close shortly after close of play on the final day of the Test Match.
Commenting on the campaign, eBay UK VP, Rob Hattrell, said:
“We absolutely love cricket at eBay and it’s one of the most popular sports for customers shopping on our site. I’m really pleased we’ve been able to show our support for everyone who has got cricket back up and running – and it’s a special privilege to be able to support the Ruth Strauss Foundation during the match. All week, we’ll be raising money for the Foundation on eBay and I hope we can make a meaningful difference for every family who has to go through what the Strauss family went through.”
Karina Murtagh, CEO of the Ruth Strauss Foundation, added:
“The Ruth Strauss Foundation is hugely grateful to eBay and every customer who supports our campaign this week. The eBay team has been so helpful and generous to our #RedforRuth campaign and this support will help us to help more families facing one of life’s toughest tests. Thank you.”
Notes to editors:
- eBay branding will feature across LED screens around the pitch during the Third Test Match, featuring the digital message: “Buy. Sell. eBay. The perfect all-rounder”.
- A photo of the commemorative England cap is attached. The cap has been signed by all 11 England players who faced Australia at Lord’s during the Second Test Match last year:
1. Joe Root (Captain)
2. Ben Stokes (Vice Captain)
3. Jofra Archer
4. Jonny Bairstow
5. Stuart Broad
6. Rory Burns
7. Jos Buttler
8. Joe Denly
9. Jack Leach
10. Jason Roy
11. Chris Woakes