It all began with a simple idea: leverage our existing gaming audience to promote brand awareness for Mighty Ape. I started by creating branded liveries for Mighty Ape and some of its sub-brands, Jungle Express and Gorilla Gaming, in the popular game Gran Turismo 7.
Using the in-game tools and our brand assets, I crafted unique skins that players could download and use in-game. It was a fun way to engage with our audience and cement our relationship with gamers.
But then, the marketing team had a stroke of genius. We saw an opportunity to take our brand awareness to the next level by connecting Mighty Ape's famously fast delivery with Mighty Mobile's lightning-fast unlimited mobile data plans.
Partnering with telecommunications heavyweight One.nz only added fuel to the fire, and soon the idea took shape: a press event where the respective CEOs would race branded cars in Gran Turismo 7, followed by a press conference to announce the new partnership and service.
But the excitement didn't end there. The marketing team filmed the event, capturing every heart-pounding moment from the race and captured in-game footage. We then used this footage to create engaging social media content, which we shared on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
As the senior graphic designer, my role was crucial in bringing this vision to life. I provided the custom skins for the cars and offered technical support on the day of the event to ensure everything ran smoothly. Seeing the CEOs tear up the virtual racetrack in their branded cars was a sight to behold, and it perfectly captured Mighty Mobile’s brand values of speed, fun, and innovation.
In the end, the launch event was a resounding success, thanks in no small part to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved. It was a testament to the power of thinking outside the box and leveraging the unique strengths of our brands to create something truly memorable.