Bandai Puts Tamagotchi to Work via Tour
Bandai America Inc. is putting its Tamagotchi characters to work this summer as part of a tour to promote its new electronics toy line.
People dressed as three famed Tamagotchi characters, Mamethci, Memethci and Kuchipatchi, are hitting the road in a branded van interviewing for jobs at their favorite places. Stops during the Tamagotchi Summer Gigs promotion include baseball stadiums, zoos, theme parks, malls and the beach.
At each location, the characters will perform various jobs and assignments. For example, at a minor league baseball game, the character may sell snacks at a snack bar or throw out the first pitch of the game. Upcoming stops include Sand Diego, CA, Los Angeles, Portland, WA, Denver and Chicago.
Visitors who find the characters can take pictures with them. In return, characters will hand out Tamagotchi cards with a code kids can redeem at MyTego.com for a skin to cover their iPod or cell phone.
“The goal was to create excitement about Tamagotchi characters and bring them to life with these job settings,” said Jessica Wells, associate marketing manager for Bandai America.
A list of locations is available at Tamasummergigs.com. The 17-city tour, which stops at 38 venues, runs through Labor Day weekend.
The promotion, handled by Mr.Youth, plugs Bandai America’s new Tamagotchi Connection V4.5, now hitting store shelves. The new version of the electronic toy lets fans guide characters through life playing games, going to school and then choosing a career.
In addition, the updated version introduces new careers and games to the Tamagotchi world. Kids can also explore TamagotchiTown.com and play online games devoted to their characters’ careers.
PR and radio promotions will support the tour.
