T-Mobile is acquiring Mint Mobile, a budget cell service provider known for its ads featuring actor and part-owner Ryan Reynolds, in a $1.35 billion (AED 4.95 billion) cash-and-stock deal.

T-Mobile plans to “supercharge” Mint with its resources and apply Mint’s successful marketing formula to other parts of T-Mobile.

Reynolds joked about his mother’s last-minute bid for Mint Mobile and said that T-Mobile’s 5G network would benefit Mint Mobile customers.

T-Mobile will continue Mint’s $15 per month pricing, and Mint will continue to use T-Mobile’s network. Mint founders David Glickman and Rizwan Kassim will operate the brands as a mostly separate business unit.

The deal is expected to close later this year.

 

Celebrity-Influencer Marketing Done Right

Celebrity and influencer marketing played a significant role in helping close the deal between T-Mobile and Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile, founded in 2016, initially struggled to gain traction in the competitive cell phone service market. However, Ryan Reynolds, who became a part-owner and creative director in 2019, helped to drive Mint Mobile’s growth through his involvement in its marketing campaigns.

Reynolds’ playful and irreverent approach to advertising resonated with consumers, helping Mint Mobile to gain a loyal following. Reynolds appeared in numerous ads for the company, standing in front of a mint-green background and delivering humorous sales pitches. His involvement helped to distinguish Mint Mobile from other cell phone service providers and attract a younger demographic.

Additionally, Reynolds leveraged his significant social media following to promote Mint Mobile, sharing photos and videos on Instagram and Twitter that highlighted the company’s unique offerings and value proposition. His celebrity status and influence helped to raise awareness of the brand and drive customer acquisition.

 

Ryan’s Impact on Mint Mobile

In the first year after Reynolds became a part-owner and creative director, Mint Mobile’s revenue grew by 50%.

Additionally, according to a survey conducted by Morning Consult in 2020, Mint Mobile was the second-most recognized brand among consumers who had seen a celebrity endorsement in the previous year, after only Beats by Dre.

Furthermore, Reynolds’ social media presence has been credited with helping to raise awareness of Mint Mobile and drive customer acquisition. As of March 2023, Reynolds has over 50 million followers on Instagram and over 16 million followers on Twitter. His posts about Mint Mobile have garnered thousands of likes and shares, helping to amplify the brand’s reach and visibility.

While these indicators do not provide a comprehensive picture of the impact of celebrity and influencer marketing on Mint Mobile’s growth, they suggest that Reynolds’ involvement played a significant role in the company’s success.