Pokémon, originating in Japan, was a popular game that came to the Nintendo Game Boy system in 1996. With the hopes of keeping the Pokémon buzz alive, Japan introduced a playing card game with a set of rules followed by an anime television show.
In a short two years, Japan was rampant with Pokémon Nintendo games, cards games, anime television shows, short story series and Pokémon super center store that specialized in Pokémon merchandise. Due to the rapid success in Japan, the series was quickly released overseas.
Between 1998 and 1999, North America had adopted their own westernized version of the Nintendo games, anime series and playing cards.
This free app for Android and IOS devices has sent people of all ages wondering the streets in search of Pokémon. The basis of the game functions through any smart phone camera, sending players on a scavenger hunt throughout their community to catch these pocket-sized digital monsters with the flick of the finger.
Through AR (augmented reality), the app uses the GPS of the player’s phone and camera to create a real-world interactive game. When a player opens Pokémon Go on their phone, Google Maps plots their location to place Pokémon sporadically around their current location.
The objective is to find the Pokémon and “Catch ‘Em All” with the swift swipe of the red and white “Poke Ball” displayed on the screen. In addition, like the original series, the game features “Gyms” where players can fight Gym Leaders and “PokeStops” based on real-life locations, creating a hub for players to meet.
Pokémon Go has hit an impressive marketing milestone. As of July 12th, 2016 the game has attracted approximately 12 million daily active users in the United States alone.
Since its release date on July 5th, Pokémon Go has been said to have surpassed Twitters daily users and has seen more engagement than Facebook on mobile devices and it’s rapidly surpassing WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat in usage.
Marketing trends, such as this, are an uncommon occurrence in society and generally come in waves. Local businesses try to monopolize the most current trends as quickly as possible and as long as they can for to increase profits.
Local Business owner and manager, Sean Benedetti, of L’inizio’s Pizza Bar in Long Island NY experienced an outstanding 75% increase in business when he placed Pokémon Lures in his establishment. It was easy for Benedetti to sit back and, “…have people come in, sit down, get a couple beers and play the Pokémon game.”
The Pokémon Go app offers options to purchase various Pokémon characters to be placed in specific desired locations. By doing this, users have the ability to create specific Poké Stops with various Poké Lure Characters. Businesses are utilizing this tool to usher players into their specific location with the hopes that timing and convenience will guide players to purchase something from their establishment.
In just a few moments you can create a Pokéstop in your local business. Pokéstops attract foot traffic with hardly any effort—players are already flocking to them to find Pokémon characters, get rewards or to battle other players.
Use the following five steps to create a Lure Module at your location today – you will also need to download the Pokémon Go app to your device.
The “Lure Module” can be purchased within the Pokémon Go App and attracts Pokémon to a specific Pokéstop for 30 minutes.
Monopolize on this inexpensive marketing trend during a particularly slow time of day, before a big sale or event for your business before it’s too late.
For more ways on how to market your business or the latest marketing trends, click here.