April 22, 2019 – 7-Eleven stores are teasing the theatrical release of the upcoming Pokémon movie, “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu”, through the use of exclusive interactive augmented reality experiences in the 7-Eleven app, alongside shareable photo filters and movie-themed products.
“Pokémon: Detective Pikachu is a great entertainment tie-in for 7-Eleven because it appeals to so many of our customers – kids, Gen Z, millennials,” said Tarang Sethia, 7‑Eleven Vice President of Digital Customer Experience. “Millennials, who played the original videogame 20 years ago, are parents now and can enjoy the Pokémon phenomenon all over again with their kids. The entire Pokémon franchise launched as a videogame, making it the perfect vehicle to create experiences that maximize the new and growing AR capabilities in the 7-Eleven app.”
Along with the AR games, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu products will be available at participating 7-Eleven stores and can be delivered in select areas through 7NOW, the retailer’s delivery platform. Every Thursday during the promotion, which is running for a limited time that includes the film’s May 10th US release date, 7-Eleven will unveil a free signature item that fans can order and have delivered directly to a chosen location.
For customers looking to participate in the augmented reality experience by visiting 7-Eleven stores, the retailer has created a ‘Ryme City Neighborhood Watch’ AR experience in its app, (named for the movie’s fictional setting) that includes a new “Find the Missing Pokémon” activity each week. Drawing from the movie storyline, each activity will immerse users in a unique story to find missing Pokémon.
The quest to successfully find each Pokémon unlocks exclusive offers for free products. The free offers, in the order they can be earned, include a free pizza slice, four free mini tacos, free any-size cup of Hi-Hat Mocha or other hot beverage, and five free chicken wings.
A variety of 7Rewards bonus point offers run throughout the “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” promotion, and selfie snaps also earn 7Rewards points weekly when customers share via their social channels using the hashtag #7ElevenNHW. Participating 7-Eleven stores will also have a variety of Detective Pikachu merchandise available to coincide with the upcoming movie release.
Earlier this year, at 7-Eleven’s annual convention in Las Vegas, the company made use of INDE’s Augmented Reality HeroMirror photo booth to promote the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu movie.
Since 7-Eleven launched AR through its app last year, customers have been seeking out its stores to play games or meet a surprise celebrity, character or athlete. The 7-Eleven app is available from the Google Play and Apple app stores.
Image credit: 7-Eleven
About the author
Sam Sprigg
Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.
