Dick's Sporting Goods launches filmmaking studio
A leading sporting goods giant is venturing into the world of in-house film production.
Dick’s Sporting Goods has announced the launch of Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, a new content and production studio that it says is dedicated to telling “powerful, human-centered stories through the lens of sport.” The name of the studio honors the founding story of the retailer, when in 1948, an 18-year-old Dick Stack borrowed $300 from his grandmother (her savings, kept in a cookie jar) to open a small bait-and-tackle shop in Binghamton, N.Y.
"Dick’s believes that sports have the power to change lives," said Mark Rooks, VP of creative, entertainment & sponsorships at Dick’s Sporting Goods. "And we've seen through our work how true that is for so many who have excelled, triumphed against the odds, and been defeated in sport. There are so many incredible and inspiring human stories that deserve to be told, and we could not be more excited to showcase how individuals, teams and communities are shaping sport, bringing people together and unifying and building communities for thousands."
Although Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios was just recently established, Dick’s is no stranger to visual sports storytelling. In 2014, the company debuted its first feature documentary, “We Could Be King,” through the Dick’s Foundation, which won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary. This past spring, Dick’s added a second Sports Emmy – the first award for Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios – to its resume with “The Turnaround,” a documentary that tells the story of Philadelphia Phillies' superfan Jon McCann and his impact on the team.
The latest production from Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios is “Big Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024,” a documentary that explores the “magic and meaning” behind one of America's most iconic youth sporting events. Produced in partnership with Imagine Entertainment and MLB Studios, the film premiered on Aug. 12.
"’Big Dreams’ is a great example of the kind of projects Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios aims to produce," said Rebecca Covington, senior director of creative production at Dick’s Sporting Goods. "Being able to share big sports moments with fans is something that drives our team, and we look at the upcoming years with great excitement as we know there will be so many unforgettable stories deserving of the spotlight."
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Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Dick’s Sporting Goods operates more than 850 Dick’s Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! Stores nationwide.
