Connected packaging offers flexibility and multi-functionality which draws customers in via the allure of fun and rewards. Gamified experiences have a compelling effect on their audience, often resulting in social sharing, word of mouth advertising and brand loyalty.

Many companies now have the opportunity to use connected packaging and gamification as a new media channel, not only to sell products, but also to engage with employees or to communicate brand transparency.

A recent PepsiCo campaign put gamification at the heart of its graduate recruitment programme. A web-based app experience was designed that connected the gamification experience to PepsiCo’s data platforms. Built around 10 key brands, including Pepsi, Doritos and Walkers, the app experience runs alongside PepsiCo’s Dare To Do More programme, which was shared through key social media channels across Europe.

Graduates are encouraged to scan barcodes on PepsiCo products to educate themselves about the different brands and gain points, with the highest number of points winning a reward. PepsiCo wanted to introduce candidates to its brands and culture, boost their experience and engage them with the recruitment process. Participants can access branded selfie filters and have the opportunity to win additional prizes. The proprietary gaming technology allows candidates to benefit from inspiration and information. More than 500 users registered within the first two months, with almost 300 page views and an average session time of more than 8 minutes.

Connected packaging and gamification can do much more than create a valuable experience for consumers or employees. It also acts as a powerful tool to drive awareness of a brand's new product or corporate social responsibility programs.

Brands are increasingly looking to combine environmentally-friendly business practices with consumer education and engagement. Gamification is a great way to deliver important information in a way that is easy to digest and action, empowering them to make the right choices for themselves and the planet.

Working with Tetra Pak, a brand which has become increasingly focused on environmental and sustainability issues, we recently delivered a connected packaging campaign to help communicate their messages in an innovative and interactive way to customers. Our solution was to create a series of games, discoverable by using a mobile phone to scan QR codes found on Tetra Pak packaging. Social media was used to amplify this content, with the gamification platform focused on the themes of Renew, Reduce and Recycle. Each game communicated facts around Tetra Pak’s sustainability work, mixing consumer education with fun interactive play. In addition, the data collected allowed for a deeper level of consumer behaviour analysis.

One of these games included the "Growing Forrest Quiz", which tested players on sustainability facts. Whenever the player would answer correctly, they would see a tree growing and once they finished the quiz, the game would show them a fun fact about Tetra Pak's sustainability. Tetra Pak's gamified experience results had 2:00 min average time spent within the experience.

We work with many different brands to help deliver customer insights and digital-first campaigns. We partnered with Coca-Cola owned fruit juice drinks brand Rani Float, which is distributed in the Middle East and India. The aim of the campaign was to attract new customers to buy the fruit drinks, by creating a contest to attract a young audience. They also wanted to educate new and existing customers about the drink containing real pieces of fruit, high juice content, low sugar and a real fruit taste.

We developed an augmented reality application accessible on a mobile phone via QR codes found on the cans. The customer had to scan all four flavours in the correct order to get access to the entry form, which entered them to win tickets to the final of a coveted soccer match. The web based game encouraged customer interaction, educated them about the different drink flavours and showed them where to find the drinks on store shelves. Instant links to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were also shared encouraging customers to spread the word on their social networks.

The data collected directly from customers informed Coca-Cola about the times of day its products were purchased and where and when each flavour was sold. This helped to facilitate personalised marketing messages, leading to greater efficiency and better planning, as well as improved understanding about the customer.

This campaign for Rani Float combined several digital marketing tools and techniques: augmented reality (AR), connected packaging and finally gamification. AR allows brands to offer their customers unique and engaging experiences that combine ‘real’ and virtual interactive elements. With this campaign, the physical can of Rani Float became ‘virtual’ by being scanned. 

Gaming via connected packaging allows brands to be truly consumer-centric, with insights gleaned about product preferences, location and demographic information. It can also supply a direct-to-consumer channel to share product details, discounts and offers, as well as test and adapt marketing messages in real time. Through administration dashboards, it is possible to identify who redeemed which coupon, scanned which QR code, how long a user stayed on the platform, manage competitions and store data in an easy-to-access, real-time, GDPR-compliant platform. 

Packaging is no longer only about functionality. It is a marketing channel that many brands have overlooked for a long time – that of their own packaging. With packaging, the owned media is in close proximity with the customer. It’s not remote or restricted by time. It's the new gateway and removing any intermediary between the consumer and the brand. Connected Packaging can be harnessed to improve customer engagement, connectivity and unleash unlimited possibilities. Users are encouraged to play fun and compelling interactive games that bring them closer to brands.

Interactive games delivered via connected packaging can help brands glean a unique and in-depth picture of consumer behaviour. This insight can be invaluable, assisting brands to better understand their target audiences, but also reach them more efficiently, building valuable engagement. Whether that is younger mobile-first audiences, or vertical-specific product fans, this data collection and analysis can guide both product and marketing strategies. Seamlessly connected packaging and gaming delivers increased engagement and interaction, delivering untold value to both customers and brands.