Solo Stove has partnered with Marshawn Lynch on a new “Gifts That Don’t Suck” marketing campaign ahead of the holiday season. It combines celebrity marketing with a contest, and it gives back to charity.

Fire pits are what made the brand famous but it’s apparent that Solo Stove is trying to raise awareness that they have a full range of outdoor living products. Much of their recent innovation has extended to the whole backyard and beyond making better fire pits, which of course, they still do.

Marshawn brings an authenticity and energy that makes him a natural partner for Solo Stove. We wanted to have some fun with a holiday gifting challenge everyone can relate to, while reminding people that a great gift is one they’ll genuinely love and use. Whether it’s gathering around a fire or sharing a meal outdoors, Solo Stove makes it easier to give something that brings people together.

Liz Vanzura, Chief Marketing Officer of Solo Stove

Central to the campaign is the tie in with terrible gift giving. It’s something we’ve all been a part of on the giving and receiving end.

Solo Stove is asking people to share their horrible gift stories, and then they’ll select some winners to turn that bad experience around. They’re giving winners an array of Solo Stove products.

Togetherness

Solo Stove has focused their marketing on their products being tools for families to be outside, unplugged, and together. It’s been a theme throughout their corporate refocus. That theme also can be seen in this campaign.

We didn’t have a bunch of gifts or anything like that, but we always had and still have each other. That’s what really stays with you. So when you gift somebody something that brings their folks together, it makes a real difference. Look, it doesn’t matter if you’re sitting around a Solo Stove fire pit or making pizzas with your people, in the end, being together is what it’s about. Give somebody something they’re actually going to use and enjoy TOGETHER.

Marshawn Lynch

That family centered approach is extending to Marshawn Lynch’s charity, Fam1st Family Foundation. Solo Stove is donating $50,000 in products to help kids and families spend more time together outdoors around the fire.