Wizards Schedule Release Featuring Mentalist Christophe Fox

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

This entry highlights the collaboration between the Washington Wizards and mentalist Christophe Fox for the Wizards' 2025-26 schedule release. Fox's use of mental games plays into the literal identity of the Wizards while creatively delivering information to fans.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

This campaign represents excellence in engagement by transforming a traditionally static league announcement into a live, interactive fan experience rooted in authenticity and surprise. By using street magic and unscripted reactions in real-world settings, the Washington Wizards created content that felt native to social platforms—driving higher watch time, shares, and organic conversation than a standard schedule graphic or video. The integration of a local influencer with a strong digital following extended reach while reinforcing community relevance, creating a hybrid of entertainment, influencer marketing, and team storytelling. This approach sets a new benchmark for how teams can turn standard league moments into premium, shareable fan experiences.

Objective

The Wizards turned their 2025–26 schedule release into a moment of magic—using mentalism, sleight-of-hand, and unsuspecting fans across Washington, D.C. to reveal matchups in unexpected ways.

To tip off the 2025–26 NBA schedule release, the Washington Wizards set out to transform a routine league announcement into a memorable, fan-first moment that would drive digital engagement and build excitement for the upcoming season. Leaning into the “Wizards” identity, the team partnered with DMV native and multi-award-winning mentalist Christophe Fox—an influencer with more than one million social media followers who has appeared on major networks including CBS, ABC, and FOX—to create a man-on-the-street video featuring sleight-of-hand and authentic fan reactions across Washington, D.C. Through card tricks, optical illusions, and mentalism, each magical moment revealed a Wizards opponent, turning the schedule drop into a playful, shareable piece of entertainment.

Strategy & Execution

The NBA schedule release marks the unofficial start of the season—sparking fan excitement, driving early ticket demand, and highlighting marquee games and matchups. 

Leaning into the Wizards brand identity, we created a man-on-the-street magic concept featuring authentic, unscripted fan reactions—an approach proven to resonate with audiences on social media. Partnering with mentalist Christophe Fox, we produced a series of fast-paced videos blending street magic and mentalism with NBA storytelling. Filmed at high-traffic locations across Washington, D.C.—including the National Mall, Georgetown, and Union Station—we captured everyday fans and tourists in their natural environment, maximizing the opportunity for genuine reactions as Wizards-branded props and tricks revealed upcoming matchups.

Organizations

• Washington Wizards

  Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Links

•   Website

Featured

• Christophe Fox

Credits

Kevin Gao
Branded Content Producer
Washington Wizards

Andrew DeGuzman
Digital Content Producer
Washington Wizards

Ryan Keep
Senior Manager, Digital Design
Washington Wizards

Tania Kershaw
Director, Digital Content
Washington Wizards

Michael Coleman
Director, Social Media
Washington Wizards

Elyssa Morris
Senior Manager, Social Media
Washington Wizards

Bernard Palin
Vice President, Digital Media
Washington Wizards

Madison Squeri
Social Media Coordinator
Washington Wizards

Valerie Poma
Senior Manager, Integrated Marketing
Washington Wizards

Valerie Webster
Director, Marketing
Washington Wizards

Joe Proszek
Director, Branded Content
Washington Wizards

Paul Turner
VIce President, Productions
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Yannick Skerrit
Producer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Isaiah Robertson
Associate Producer
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Alex Diamond
Director of Photography
Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Mansa Johnson
DP
MSE

Alex Rosen
DP
MSE

Spencer Smith
Audio
MSE