Voyager Innovations plays on Pokemon Go, hires ‘lures’

MANILA, Philippines – With millions of Filipinos on the streets hunting for Pokemon Go’s virtual monsters, Voyager Innovations Incorporated is now hiring “lures” that will serve as a marketing tool to its partner firms, attracting crowds to their shops.

With the Pokemon Go craze hitting the Philippines, local businesses are starting to cash in on the game, incorporating it in their marketing strategies.

Other than selling Pokemon Go items, enterprises, from neighborhood milk tea places to big retail malls, see big potential in the game’s ability to entice potential customers.

According to Voyager Business Head and Managing Director Dindo Marzan, the strategy is to tempt them head to an establishment with prospects of adding new Pokemons to their collections.

“We are riding on the virality of Pokemon Go. The main objective is for foot traffic. We are working with fastfood companies, retail malls, and others,” Marzan told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing in Makati City on Thursday, September 1. (READ: Here’s what PH Pokemon Go Lure Party looks like)

Hiring ‘lures’

The unit of PLDT Incorporated and Smart Communications Incorporated is now hiring 30 lure managers who will play the game and activate game lures for the entire day.

“This is full time. They have to work from 10 in the morning to 7 in the evening to activate lures,” Marzan explained.

A lure is a feature of the Pokemon Go that draws Pokemon to a location, which draws in customers to establishments, hoping that they will linger and spend money.

Marzan said the company now has 3 lure managers and is hiring 27 more. 

James Tancioco, human resource lead for Voyagers Innovations, posted a job ad on his Facebook page.

“We have other brands who want to join us in taking advantage of Pokemon Go craze,” Marzan said, but he declined to name companies. – Rappler.com