As brands continue to engage across all aspects of social media and technology, it's inevitable that branding would find its way into the app stores of your favorite mobile devices. Cheetos brand snacks (owned by PepsiCo) have thrown their cheesy hat into the ring with two new games wrapped up in one dynamically named app. The app, called CHEETOS' App of Massive Distraction includes two branded games, "Thumble Rumble" and "Hovercheese" available exclusively on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, iPad mini and iPod touch.
"Thumble Rumble" is literally a thumb war game. You play against Chester The Cheetah, or rather - his thumb dressed up as different characters. This game stresses pattern recongition but is really just a time wasting game - hence the name of the app package. Meanwhile in "Hovercheese" players blow into the microphone on their phone to propel a Cheetos snack to avoid obstacles. I can't remember the last time I've seen a game use the microphone to control a game character. Both games take full advantage of of the accelerometer and gyroscope of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
“'CHEETOS Mobile App of Massive Distraction' taps the spirit of the CHEETOS brand – adding a bit of playfulness into everyday situations,” said Ram Krishnan, vice president of marketing for Frito-Lay North America. “Whether it’s waiting in line at the store or staying at home on a rainy day, the games offer an easy and fun way to break from the daily routine and put a smile on your face.”
Of course, that time wasting - from a brand perspective - is much better time spent with eyes on the brand. Something both these games easily achieve since the brand is central to everything in the games. Additionally, consumers can enter UPC codes found on Cheetos packages to unlock special game features such as extra lives and mysterious opponents.
The “CHEETOS Mobile App of Massive Distraction” App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore.
To learn more about the new “CHEETOS Mobile App of Massive Distraction” App, visit CHEETOS on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Cheetos.
via Technology articles at Technorati http://feeds09.technorati.com/~r/tr-technology/~3/ruUpArEEY20/