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Eight businesses that have taken Pokémon Go marketing to the next level

If you’ve been living under a rock recently, you may not have heard about the Pokémon Go phenomenon that is sweeping the globe. The app has more daily users than Twitter and Tinder, people have gotten fired over it, and Democratic presidential nominee Hilary Clinton has even spoken about it. The game itself is fairly simple. […]
Dominic Powell
Dominic Powell
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If you’ve been living under a rock recently, you may not have heard about the Pokémon Go phenomenon that is sweeping the globe. The app has more daily users than Twitter and Tinder, people have gotten fired over it, and Democratic presidential nominee Hilary Clinton has even spoken about it.

The game itself is fairly simple. Users are presented with a Google maps style layout of their surroundings, and can walk around their city to find and catch small creatures known as Pokémon. These Pokémon can be levelled up, and keen users can battle their Pokémon against other users Pokémon.

Various different notable locations around Australia have been turned into Pokéstops, where users can refill on Pokéballs, the devices used to catch Pokémon. Various ‘gyms’ also exist across Australia, where three different teams (red, blue, and yellow) can battle it out for control of the location.

In the games’ week-and-a-half lifespan, it has been explored in every way possible by businesses and the media. One of these ways is how Pokémon Go can attract more customers to your business, and many Australian businesses have tried different ways to make some Pokésales.

Here’s eight businesses that have taken Pokemon Go marketing to the next level. If you’ve sighted any businesses trying to catch ‘em all (customers, not Pokémon) let us know in the comments below.

1. Readings Bookstores capitalised on a nearby PokeStop with an artistic take on a Pokéball

2. Woolworths gave its Facebook fans tips to catch Pokémon in store

The post advises shoppers to avoid common Pokémon such as Zubat, which may go against the timeless ‘catch ’em all’ adage.

3. Virgin Mobile Australia allows trainers to top up their phone’s charge in store

Pokémon Go is a very battery hungry app, and many users have taken to carrying around portable charge packs to get a bit of extra Pokéjuice.

4. Doughnut Time took to Instagram to promote Pokéball Nutella-filled doughnuts

It might be wise to avoid throwing these at any Pokémon, unless that Pokémon is your stomach.

5. East Brunswick Hotel in Melbourne erected a sign out the front of the pub, which also doubles as a gym location in the game

The sign advertises a free jug of beer for the current leader of the gym.

6. Melbourne Central’s Pancake Parlour set up a number of Pokémon Nights at the store

Users can pay $12 for some pancakes, free Wi-Fi and constant Lure Module activation. Lure Modules are purchasable in-game items that attract Pokémon to the area for 30 minutes at a time.

7. Australian Bananas used Facebook to warn users of the Pokémon known as ‘Mankey’ hiding near bananas nationwide

The Pokémon looks a lot like a monkey, but it is unknown if they share the same love for bananas.

8. Finally, AirNZ promoted it’s Pokémon-catching Snapchat story on Instagram, posting an image of rock-type Pokémon ‘Geodude’

Having one of it’s primary moves as ‘Earthquake’, some customers may not be comfortable with a Geodude near any airplanes.

About the author

Dominic Powell

Dominic is the former features and profiles editor at SmartCompany.

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advertising and marketing
facebook
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pokemon
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