Designer Emma “The Stitch Gawd” McKee Partners with Chicago Bulls and Klarna to Design Sneaker for Benny The Bull

Designer Emma "The Stitch Gawd" McKee Partners with Chicago Bulls and Klarna to Design Sneaker for Benny The Bull

Klarna, the AI-powered global payments network and shopping assistant, unveils its latest collaboration with Chicago-based designer Emma “The Stitch Gawd” McKee. In partnership with the legendary Chicago Bulls, Klarna announces McKee as the designer of a special edition sneaker for the Bulls’ mascot, Benny The Bull. This initiative is part of Klarna’s ongoing partnership with the Bulls as their official shopping partner.

McKee, known for her work with Chicago icons like Chance the Rapper, will present the sneakers to Benny at The Bulls’ February 27 home game against the Detroit Pistons. The design pays homage to Chicago’s rich history, with elements representing the original Chicago Stadium and the city’s NBA championship wins. Klarna’s signature “Pay in Four” feature is also incorporated into the design.

I’m thrilled to partner with Klarna and design a shoe for Chicago’s most iconic mascot, Benny The Bull,” said McKee. “I love the city of Chicago and being able to create a shoe that’s a tribute to the city and represents the nostalgia of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s Bulls was such a great experience. The Benny shoes have all sorts of nods to the Chicago Stadium – namely, the original Benny The Bull shoes were all red, and so are these (with a hint of Klarna pink, of course). And the four gold stars are of course for the city of Chicago.”

The announcement marks the third consecutive year of Klarna’s collaboration with a Chicago creative for the Bulls’ mascot sneakers. Previous collaborations include Chuck Anderson and Don C. As part of the festivities, fans at the game will have the opportunity to receive limited-edition posters and custom Benny The Bull t-shirts. Additionally, select fans will receive surprise deliveries from Don C himself.

The Stitch Gawd also created a t-shirt for the Bulls, worn by guard Ayo Dosunmo upon arena arrival.

IMG 1270

“We’re excited to partner with ‘The Stitch Gawd’ on another exciting Benny The Bull sneaker collaboration,” said Megan Gokey, Head of B2C Marketing in North America and the United Kingdom, Klarna. “Her design is a nod to the history of the Bulls and the iconic Chicago Stadium, a place Chicago sports fans made memories for decades. In our partnership with the Bulls, Klarna is always looking to boost the fan experience and make shopping smoother within the United Center, and I think we’ve done just that in our third iteration of sneakers for Benny. From shopping with Klarna Smoooth Delivery to the chance to receive a surprise delivery from Don C, fans have a lot of exciting activity to look forward to at the February 27 game.”

“I’m thrilled to pass on this design project to my friend Emma ‘The Stitch Gawd,’” said Don C. “We both share a passion for design and for the city of Chicago, so this is the perfect project for us both. I can’t wait for Bulls fans to see the nostalgic shoe design she’s put together – I even used it as inspiration for the fourth iteration of my poster series with the Bulls.”

Emma McKee, also known as “The Stitch Gawd,” is celebrated for her cross-stitch designs for musicians, artists, and athletes. Raised in Kansas City, McKee has established herself as a prominent figure in Chicago’s music, sports, and entertainment community.

Klarna continues to demonstrate its commitment to Chicago and its vibrant creative scene through initiatives like these, fostering connections between art, sports, and commerce.

The post Designer Emma “The Stitch Gawd” McKee Partners with Chicago Bulls and Klarna to Design Sneaker for Benny The Bull first appeared on The Source.

The post Designer Emma “The Stitch Gawd” McKee Partners with Chicago Bulls and Klarna to Design Sneaker for Benny The Bull appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna and Chicago Bulls Extend Partnership to Elevate Fan Experience

Klarna and Chicago Bulls Extend Partnership to Elevate Fan Experience

Klarna, the global all-in-one shopping service, is excited to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Chicago Bulls for the 2023/24 NBA season. For the second consecutive season, Bulls fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a smoother in-arena experience with in-seat shopping thanks to Klarna. This service enables fans to purchase select Bulls merchandise from the Madhouse Team Store and have it delivered directly to their seats during the game.

Fans can take advantage of this convenient in-seat delivery feature throughout the season and enjoy uninterrupted game action. Klarna’s pay-in-four payment method and other payment options will be available for in-seat delivery and other activations.

As a bonus, fans who use the in-seat shopping feature will have the opportunity to collect four unique, limited-edition posters designed by Chicago-based streetwear designer Don C. These posters will be launched during key moments throughout the season, offering fans the chance to collect each one by making in-seat purchases during the specified time frames.

In a unique twist, some lucky fans making purchases through Klarna’s in-seat shopping will receive surprise visits from Bulls legends who will personally deliver their orders. The season’s first home game on October 25 against the Oklahoma City Thunder will feature a surprise visit from Bulls legend Randy Brown.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Chicago Bulls for another season and provide passionate fans with innovative ways to express their fandom,” said Megan Gokey, Head of B2C Marketing at Klarna. “Randy Brown’s surprise visit to a lucky fan at the home opener is just one example of the exciting fan engagement opportunities we look forward to this season.”

Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu will also join the partnership as a brand ambassador, helping bring Klarna’s initiatives to life during the season. The collaboration promises innovative in-arena experiences, exclusive offers, community activations, and more, all aimed at enhancing the fan experience at the United Center.

“I’m thrilled to partner with Klarna and help spread the word about their ability to deliver merchandise directly to fans’ seats during the game,” said Dosunmu. “It’s a huge plus for the Bulls community, ensuring dedicated fans won’t miss a second of gameplay.”

Last season, Klarna and Don C successfully collaborated on a special edition of the Benny the Bull sneakers, which received rave reviews from fans and sneaker enthusiasts alike.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna and Chicago Bulls Extend Partnership to Elevate Fan Experience first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna and Chicago Bulls Extend Partnership to Elevate Fan Experience appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna Supports Women’s Soccer with New World Cup Activation

Klarna Supports Women's Soccer with New World Cup Activation

Klarna, the global payments network, is set to engage sports fans with a new in-app game called ‘Scream For Your Team.’ Running from July to August in conjunction with the major women’s soccer tournament, the game will reward fans for their loud cheers and screams during matches. Participants can win Nike gift cards worth up to $500 in weekly draws if they successfully score three goals by screaming at the indicated volume.

To support women’s soccer further, Klarna has teamed up with Angel City FC to offer free swag at upcoming watch parties. The first party will be held on July 26 during the USA vs. Netherlands match at The Music Center, with more events scheduled throughout the tournament. Klarna plans to reward the first 500 fans at each party who pose in front of the Klarna backdrop and share their experience on Instagram Stories, tagging Klarna.

According to a recent survey by Klarna, nearly half of respondents believe that cheering for their women’s soccer team can inspire young women and girls to pursue their athletic dreams. Additionally, fans think that vocal support for women’s soccer helps increase visibility and awareness of the sport, fosters camaraderie among fans, and provides inspiration and motivation. Studies have also shown that cheering for a winning team positively affects fans’ self-esteem and may extend life expectancy.

Furthermore, the Klarna research revealed that:

  • Sixty-one percent of respondents noted feeling a sense of pride when their team wins, while 40% feel overjoyed and 35% feel ecstatic. 
  • Over half (53%) noted that they’ve become a fan of women’s soccer through major tournaments or events like the Women’s World Cup. 
  • Notably, over half (53%) of respondents noted their attitudes towards women’s soccer have changed over the past few years. 
  • Of that group, 40% stated that the change was driven due to increased media coverage and exposure, while 36% stated that the sport has become increasingly competitive and reached a higher level of performance over the past few years.  
  • Watching women’s soccer is a family activity, with 60% of respondents saying that they watch games regularly with their family. However, the ability to attend live games in stadiums is still a barrier for 1 in 2 fans (50%) stating that there are no stadiums near their home city. However, almost 30% of respondents noted they are most likely to cheer or scream for their team when attending a game in person. 
  • When it comes to which generation is planning to spend the most time watching the Women’s World Cup this summer, Millennials are the biggest fans (61%), followed by Gen Z (54%) and Gen X (48%). 

Klarna’s ‘Scream for your team’ is just one of the initiatives launched by the company to promote women’s soccer in the U.S. and globally. As a founding partner of the National Women’s Soccer League team Angel City FC, Klarna has been actively involved in various projects. This includes collaborating on limited-edition merch collections with brands like re-inc and Suay Sew Shop and contributing to local Los Angeles philanthropies alongside ACFC.

Josh van Sant, Klarna’s Head of Global Consumer Communications, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting women’s soccer fans worldwide. With the game, Klarna aims to reward fans for their unwavering support and offer them a unique way to engage with the sport during the summer’s major women’s soccer tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

The ‘Scream For Your Team’ game can be accessed through the Klarna app’s ‘You’ tab, available for free download on Apple and Android devices. For more information on watch party schedules, interested fans can visit angelcity.com/summer23.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna Supports Women’s Soccer with New World Cup Activation first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Klarna Supports Women’s Soccer with New World Cup Activation appeared first on The Source.