To be fair, it’s not one Facebook Application, it’s Zynga Games – the producers of many of the most popular Facebook Applications out there. Zynga recently announced their partnership with the 7-11 chain of stores, which will see about 7,000 stores participating in the campaign. It is the biggest crossover between Facebook and real life merchandise we’ve ever seen.
Starting June 1, you won’t be able to have a slushee or get some ice cream without looking at FarmVille, Mafia Wars or YoVille. They’re not just pasting their digital faces on there for no reason, mind you – each sponsored product will have a redeemable code that you can use in the game. It’s reported that there will be over 30 unique codes, but there’s no news yet on what they’ll be used for.
With virtually everyone having a Facebook account, it’s a great idea for the company to draw some attention to their already-popular games, and encourage activity with the general populace. 7-11 will be advertising for the campaign by radio, print and commercial airtime.
Rita Bargerhuff, the chief marketing officer of 7-11, was excited for the deal and explained it as “one of the most unique campaigns in the store’s history.” She further noted that the promotion “gives over 30 product incentives to Zynga’s 239 million monthly activate users.”
To be frank, I knew Zynga was big, but that number is quite astounding – I know a few application addicts, and I could totally see them purposely buying FarmVille-sponsored products so they could get some free FarmVille stuff. Heck, if I saw Marcus Fenux on a bag of milk I’d probably get it! Vish Makhijani, the senior vice president of business at Zynga, was also excited at his end of the deal:
“Through our promotion with 7-Eleven, we are expanding our reach and making our games more accessible to consumers.”
Facebook Applications are already pretty common and mainstream, but now that they’ll be on shelves near you soon, they might have their share of the market in the bag. And do you know what kind of bag it is? It’s a bag of money.
What do you think about Zynga games having their Facebook Applications on products near you?
Source: VentureBeat
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If the prises are not yet out till June 1st then why did I see a yoville player with some rare items she said she got from one of the codes? She had two refreshment coolers you would see at a 7 11 store and a slushy machine and I think a hot dog machine, also I believe a gallon of milk and a carton of juice together. When I asked she said she got it from here and thats how i'm at this site now or I would have never have known.
Evidently the street date has been broken at some 7-11s.
It's really impressive how fast Farmville has grown. 7-11 needs to do more of this DLC stuff, I think it's great marketing.
Although I love this style of marketing, it doesn't change that fact that I couldn't care less that your lonely brown cow has no home. I don't want it. If it's so lonely that you have to give it away, eat it.
Yes. I hate Farmville
I think it's incredible for 7-11! They are going to grab a ton of consumers and draw attention to the store. I've lived next to a 7-11 for a few years now and until yesterday, never visited the store. My friend gave me $50 to go spend there on items with codes on them. I will be back for a slurpee soon
Even though I think Farmville is a waste of time, 7-11 has definitely smartly taken advantage of the Zynga games. I still won't play Farmmville, Mafia Wars or anything like that, but like I said has driven me to 7-11 stores effectively.
Good idea, downside is, the closest 7-11 from here is 62 miles away!
I just found out about Zynga/7-11 gear by accident today while visiting Daytona Beach and deciding to stop for a famous “old-fashioned” 7-11 slurpee, as many 7-11 locations have closed down and such bunches around Daytona Beach. Was kind of hoping they might do the same thing with Hess stations, since there's tons of those around here and they carry about the same selection of slushies and slurpees. :-