This past summer, crazed mobs of the younger generations took to the streets at the release of Pokémon Go in the hopes to “catch’em all.” With it’s addictive and simplistic gameplay, it is no wonder why Pokémon Go has become such a global phenomenon. Fast Company reported that in the first two months of its release, the app was downloaded a total of 500 million times, players collectively walked 2.9 billion miles and $200 million dollars in revenue was brought in for the app’s developers, Niantic Labs. However, over the past few months, the phenomenon has seen a substantial stall from it’s launch. So how can Pokémon Go continue it’s success?
Pokémon Go’s Updated Strategic Gameplay
Several strategic developments have been made in the past couple of months for Pokémon Go:
- The app’s appearance on the new Apple Watch.
- The announcement of the new Pokémon Go Plus: a wearable tech wristband that vibrates and alerts players to nearby Poké-Stops and Pokémon in their vicinity.
- The future expansion their current character count from 150 Pokémon to 700.
- Ad offers in the form of “sponsored location” within the game.
These new updates give players more options based on their interests, while keeping players engaged. The availability of the game app on Apple Watch and the new Plus tech wristband makes it easier for the game to be integrated into their player’s everyday life. In addition, business have the option to capitalize on the phenomenon and potentially drive traffic to their stores with sponsored ads.
Standing Out and Your Brand Strategy
It can be hard for a company to continue to stand out when customer preferences and wants are continuously changing. To stand out, a company needs to be more of what makes them who they are; those positive qualities that it’s customers already appreciate. The challenge is to identify those things and nurture them, expose them, and promote them. Successful companies that continuously engage their customers, align their brand strategies with their customer wants and interests. When companies invest the time to align their brand, strategy, and purpose together, they build the foundation for success and can truly take off and stand out.
Does your brand strategies align with your customer’s wants and interests? Take the Brand Traffic Control Assessment and find out.
