[September 15, 2011]

Why Not Hit the Beach When You're Not Tending the Farm? Malibu® and Isobar Help Consumers Escape Daily Doldrums with Beach Club Facebook Game

Fantasy farming is fine, but wouldn't you rather be running a high-end island resort where the summer feeling never ends? Now, Malibu and its digital creative agency Isobar (News - Alert) are extending that summer feeling all year round with a new Facebook®¹ game application launched today. Beach Club is designed to transport Malibu fans from the winter's cooler temperatures to the hot and sandy experience of the islands -- all while being challenged to successfully run a fantasy island resort with the chance to win a trip to Barbados. The Beach Club game marks the first spirit-branded, and beach oriented, game to hit the popular social networking site.

Geared toward adults 21-35 years of age, Beach Club provides an escape from everyday activities and helps players maintain the carefree and fun-loving summer state of mind consumers associate with the Malibu brand, but often lose with the onset of fall. While the game is primarily focused on engaging players in increasingly more challenging activity levels and guest requests, the game also includes subtle and organic references to the Malibu brand with features like the beach zamboni, which tidies up the resort beaches while dropping Malibu brand impressions into the sand.

"The Malibu consumer is extremely savvy when it comes to digital media. We've been successful in distinguishing our brand in the marketplace by matching our consumers' media and technology expectations - whether that be in web, mobile or social -- and then taking those expectations one step further, keeping them engaged and entertained with unique and ownable content," said AnnaMarie Battiloro, Senior Brand Manager for Malibu Rum in the USA. "The Beach Club takes the fun, viral nature of social media games and adds a level of sophistication and intelligence to the game that really does transport players to another world where managing Tiki bars and beach activities are what's on the day's agenda. The summer and beach environment of the game creates a unique opportunity for us to naturally communicate our brand messages without detracting from the fun. Without saying a word, it helps us communicate that Malibu Rum is the drink of choice, no matter what time of year."

In Beach Club, Facebook (News - Alert)®¹ users are invited to the eccentric Snny Beachbottom's island to help manage his luxurious island resort, and, if they do well, Sonny may give them the resort. With ten different beaches around the island, participants have their hands full as they are challenged to earn points at each level by keeping resort guests happy with plenty of interactive beach activities. Players can also earn additional virtual cash and points by bartending at the Tiki bars, all while learning how to mix classic rum cocktails. There are multiple opportunities for players to invite their friends to join the game by gifting them their own duplicate collectables, helping them jump start their own collections.

The big prize? Island points are converted into sweepstakes entries for chances to win an all-inclusive 4 day/3 night trip to Barbados- the birthplace of Malibu. The Beach Club game Sweepstakes will be available to U.S. residents on Facebook¹ for a limited time -- Sept. 15 -Dec. 15, 2011-- while the game itself runs indefinitely.

"Beach Club is a great example of a brand harnessing the power of Facebook to engage and interact with its customers in a way that is real and true to the brand itself," said Jason Beaulieu, Sr. Account Director at Isobar Canada. "Malibu is synonymous with summer. Their target audience lives, eats, sleeps and breathes social networks. Beach Club fuels the brand and extends its mindshare well beyond Labor Day into an everyday, any season mindset. The result of a successful partnership with Malibu is a highly engaging game - very fun, simple to play and visually stimulating."

¹ The Beach Club Game is a third party application on Facebook.com, created and developed by Malibu and Isobar. It is in no way sponsored or administered by Facebook.

About Pernod Ricard USA®

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA. In July, 2008, Pernod Ricard completed the acquisition of the iconic ABSOLUT® Vodka brand from the V&S Group, and Pernod Ricard USA is now the second-leading company in the U.S. by sales value.

In addition to ABSOLUT®, Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include such prestigious spirits as The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Martell® Cognac, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Rum and Coffee Liqueur, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod® and Ricard®; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

The company is based in Purchase, New York, and has roughly 1,000 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org.

Get Your Island On Responsibly. Always Drink in Moderation.

MALIBU ® Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liqueur. 21% - 24% Alc./Vol, © 2011 Pernod Ricard USA, Purchase, NY

About Isobar

Isobar is a global communications agency that brings people and brands together like never before. We fuse creative thinking with technology know-how to uncover the best ideas and execute them across any platform or channel anywhere in the world. Our unique combination of creatives and creators ensures the best ideas never end up on the cutting room floor, empowering us to consistently deliver innovative and intensely relevant brand experiences for the world's largest brands. With locations in Toronto, Boston, New York and San Francisco, Isobar is an Aegis Media Group Company and part of the global Isobar network of over 2,200 people in 32 markets. For more information, please visit www.isobarcanada.com.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]