Dick’s Sporting Goods is venturing into the world of film production with the launch of their new banner, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios. This new venture will make its debut with an ESPN documentary titled “Big Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024.”
The documentary, produced in collaboration with Imagine Documentaries and MLB Studios, delves into the triumphs, defeats, hard work, and emotions of the tournament held in rural Pennsylvania. Scheduled to premiere on ESPN on August 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET, the 90-minute film promises to captivate audiences with its compelling storytelling.
According to Dick’s Sporting Goods, the establishment of Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios is a natural progression of their decade-long involvement in filmmaking. The brand has previously supported five feature-length films and ten short-form documentaries, including the award-winning “We Could Be King” in 2014 and “The Turnaround” in 2024.
Mark Rooks, the Vice President of Creative, Sponsorships, and Entertainment at Dick’s, emphasizes the studio’s focus on telling captivating stories that resonate with audiences and foster a deeper connection with the brand. He envisions the production studio as a valuable marketing tool for Dick’s Sporting Goods.
In addition to the Little League documentary, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios is also working on projects that showcase inspiring stories, such as the journey of Rachel Foster, a woman who defied the odds and now runs marathons after being pronounced dead following an accident. Another upcoming project will follow the 1994 U.S. Men’s National Team at the World Cup.
The name of the production banner, Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, pays homage to the roots of Dick’s Sporting Goods. Founded in 1948 by Richard “Dick” Stack with a $300 loan from his grandmother’s cookie jar savings, the brand’s humble beginnings serve as a constant source of inspiration and motivation.
Rooks emphasizes, “We use that inspiration and that story to remind us of who we are and what our North Star is.” This dedication to authenticity and storytelling underscores Dick’s commitment to creating meaningful content that resonates with audiences and reinforces the brand’s identity.