We live in an age of influencers where our favorite athletes share their go-to court shoes, paddles, lead tape, ball machines, and clothes. And if a product is good enough for my favorite pro, it’s good enough for me. 

For his part, Greg Dow does his “influencing” in one of pickleball’s most fun and entertaining ways.  

If professional pickleball had senior superlatives, Dow would be a serious contender for funniest pro or class clown. Either way, his sense of humor really shines in his brand deals and influencer style videos where he shares his preferred clothes, paddles, and gear.

He was recently joined by girlfriend and fellow pro, Alex Walker, in a video about Black Friday deals from Stack. Instead of a typical photoshoot where they simply wear Stack clothes, dink back and forth, smile and look great,  Dow put his own creative spin on it. 

In a funny skit, Dow confesses to Walker that he can't pay her on time so she will remain his girlfriend.  

To make up for the late payment, Dow creates signs to promote Stack’s Black Friday deals to earn extra cash and pay Walker to remain his partner.

It's all in good fun of course. Dow stands outside dancing with his Stack promotional gear as cars drive by.

Even better, Walker commented on the post, "Legend has it he’s still dancing to this day," and Dow commented back, “You said you like my moves!” Talk about a perfect exchange.

It’s honestly one of the more entertaining brand deals I’ve seen on my feed. 

In another brand deal video, Dow was promoting a Bzer ball, which is a miniature pickleball.

Instead of playing with it or doing a drill, Dow had another idea. 

Alex and Angie Walker are dinking back and forth as Dow stands courtside narrating the benefits of playing with the ball. Then, in an entertaining twist, the Walkers suddenly frame it as if Dow is creepily watching the girls from the bushes. 

In another video with Bzer pickleballs, Dow pleads with Walker that it's not too small - an innuendo where he's actually talking about the small proportion of the drilling pickleball. 

It’s the kind of video that starts like a typical brand deal, but shifts to humor and fun, and still has an effective message. For me, brand deals can be such a skip from any pro athlete or influencer. 

It's excellent because Dow is technically "influencing," but it doesn't feel like viewers are being influenced. It doesn't feel like I'm watching a commerical. It's authentic, it's funny, and it's well thought out without feeling too planned.  

And when asked what gives him the confidence to be bold on social media, he had this to say: "Honestly, I have nothing to lose, so I just go for it."

Whenever Dow posts, I'm stopping to watch and enjoy.