PAC Global Award Winner: Custom WNBA Merch with Connected Packaging
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3 Weeks
2025
100%
About
Las Vegas Aces Team Project
Through Rootree's innovative BrandsWithPurpose initiative, a custom merchandise project was created for the Las Vegas Aces WNBA team, featuring personalized snack bags designed to look like team jerseys. This unique project combined sustainable packaging practices with connected digital experiences, creating personalized merchandise for players including Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and A'ja Wilson. The initiative demonstrated how sports teams can leverage cutting-edge packaging technology to create meaningful, customized experiences that go beyond traditional team merchandise while supporting social and environmental causes.
The Challenge
Creating meaningful, personalized merchandise for professional sports teams presents unique challenges in terms of customization, speed, and authenticity. The project needed to demonstrate the full capabilities of end-to-end product creation, from concept to finished goods, while incorporating sustainable packaging practices and connected digital experiences. The challenge was to create something that would resonate with professional athletes, showcase advanced personalization capabilities through variable data printing, and complete the entire process- from design to delivery - within an extremely tight timeline of just three weeks.
The ProQure Solution
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Rootree's BrandsWithPurpose initiative created custom snack bags featuring jersey-inspired designs with individual player names and numbers using advanced variable data printing technology. The solution incorporated the best sustainability practices in packaging materials and manufacturing processes, while integrating connected packaging campaigns powered by ProQure's platform. Each bag featured personalized elements and connected to a custom web app experience designed with team colors, branding, interactive quizzes, golden ticket giveaways, and direct links to official merchandise. The entire project timeline from concept to finished product was completed in no-time, demonstrating our platform rapid digital experience creation capabilities.
The Result
The custom Las Vegas Aces merchandise project earned recognition as a PAC Global Award of Distinction winner in 2025, validating the innovation and execution excellence of the BrandsWithPurpose approach. The personalized snack bags were successfully delivered and received enthusiastically by the team, demonstrating the emotional impact of customized, name-specific merchandise. The connected packaging experience drove engagement through interactive elements including team trivia, promotional content, and merchandise integration. The project established proof-of-concept for rapid, sustainable product creation in the sports merchandise space, showing how teams can create unique, meaningful items that strengthen relationships with players while showcasing cutting-edge packaging technology and environmental responsibility.
What's Next
Rootree’s BrandsWithPurpose initiative, launched by the success of the Las Vegas Aces project, spans three key verticals: Brands as a Service (BAAS) for purpose-driven organisations like non-profits, healthcare, and conservation groups; licensing-based BAAS for sports and entertainment properties seeking regionalised and customised merchandise solutions; and internal brand development for innovative new products combining sustainability, connectivity, and social impact. Our partnership has grown, and we continue to work on new products, fully integrated with Rootree.