Unless you have been living under a rock for the past year, chances are you have played the game Angry Birds once or twice (or 1000 times). Although the game first came out in 2009, it took off and became the top game in Android and Apple App stores almost overnight in 2010. Now that the game is a worldwide sensation, everyone is trying to get in on the action. Everything from toys to Playstation games to a cookbook and TV show has come out all surrounding the popular game. Even though we are not telling you to drop everything and start producing Angry Birds socks or write a movie script, take a cue from this overnight hit!
Have Something For Everyone:
One of the reason Angry Birds became so popular is because it had something that everyone, whether they are 6 or 76, could enjoy. It is a simple concept and anyone can easily pick it up. Having an application for your company/brand that is engaging and easy to use is a great way to speak to clients. If you target 25 year olds, who tend to be tech-savvy, but your product can also appeal to those who may not be into the latest trends, then you may be onto something. The WebMD app is a great example of an app that appeals to a broad audience. If you are trying to figure out what ailment you may have, there is a diagram that pops up, showing a body and you click the troublesome area. Then, a list of symptoms appears on the screen. It is helpful, user-friendly, and engaging.
Have a Flow:
Every page that is associated with your brand, whether it is Facebook or a website, should each carry the same theme. From the colors, logos, fonts, and even what you say coherency is key. Angry Birds uses their colors and looks of the characters cohesively throughout their brand. The green color of the pigs is the same in the game as it is on the TV show, and all the way to the stuffed animal toys.
Advertise, In a Different Way:
Even though Angry Birds did not advertise on their own, other people did it for them. T-Mobile set up a life size Angry Birds that let people who gave T-Mobile phones play the addicting game in real life. It was great press for not only T-Mobile, but also Angry Birds. Combining with other companies that have to do with your product is a great way to build on success.
Go Viral:
Even if you become someone’s punch line, it will help gain exposure for your product. Conan O’Brian is famous for making fun of the latest in pop culture, and he did not hold back when it came to Angry Birds. He made a life size Angry Birds Game on his show, and it didn’t take long for this to be come a viral video. With over 4000 likes and over 100 Tweets, it’s safe to say, Conan showed off the game pretty well.
Take a Chance:
Even though Angry Birds has to be one of the most pointless time-wasters out there, it has been a huge success. If the creators in Finland had never released the game to the United States, it may not have been the hit that it is today. With all of the “spin-offs” of the original $2.99 game, Rovio Mobile has made a fortune on a “hunch” that this game would take off.
