Pokémon Go: Gotta bank ’em all
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Opinion

Pokémon Go: Gotta bank ’em all

One bank in the US has come up with a failsafe way to increase footfall in its branches – place Pokémon Go characters there. Florida-based CenterState Bank decided to cash in on the popularity of the augmented reality game last month by placing lures in two of its branches in Lakeland and Jacksonville.



The bank buys Pokémon coins that are then used to purchase lures at about $5.67 each. Each lure lasts for around 30 minutes and attracts players into the branch. “We already had people in our bushes hunting around for small fictional characters, so the idea of being proactive and actually purchasing the lures wasn’t that much of a stretch,” explains Chris Nichols, chief strategy officer at the bank.

He admits that: “We are unclear if this will create an emotional bond with customers or potential prospects,” but claims that “any bank that aligns itself with the game will garner awareness and respect, particularly around millennials.”

Other banks should take note. That focus on customer service and product offerings is all very well, but if it is respect you are after, letting grown adults chase electronic characters around your premises is the way to go. 



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