Warner Bros is taking the Barbie route with just released Wonka, with Timothee Chalamet in the lead role, featuring in Zynga games, specifically “Words With Friends”. It will give players an inside look at the magical world of Wonka through custom in-game challenges, rewards and film content.
Wonka is backed by a full-bodied marketing campaign that earlier releases like The Marvels and The Exorcist could not. Warner Bros fired up the movie’s profile in July when it dropped the first trailer and teaser art by taking advantage of Barbie in-theater placement. The studio dropped the second trailer in time for Taylor Swift: Eras Tour premiere in mid-October, whereby it was able to reach global audience across 66 international markets.
Warner Bros has gone all out for Wonka giving sneak peeks across TNT and TBS. On the Food Network, there was a Wonka-themed holiday baking championship. Bakers created “Unexpected Upside-Down Cakes”. Moreover, the actors of Wonka – Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane took to answering rapid-fire food questions to debate their favorite foods and sweet treats.
Xbox also created a custom edible controller and chocolate-themed console for giveaways, with additional support being an in-store Wonka-themed build-out at Microsoft Experience Centers in New York, London and Sydney. Moreover, Booking.com gave two pairs of candy-loving guests the chance to travel to a world of pure imagination by booking Wonka’s Sweet Suites in New York and Los Angeles.
And now Warner Bros has Zynga “Words With Friends 2”, a stylized Wonka avatar based on Timothee Chalamet’s portrayal of the character in the film. It will invite players into Wonka’s magical world to play chocolate-themed Friendly Faceoff word games. Players who win two games against the bright-eyed candy maker will earn an exclusive Wonka-themed frame as a sweet treat to proudly display on their player profile.
Yaron Leyvand, Executive Vice President, Games at Zynga, said the company is excited to continue its ten-year history of successful collaboration with Warner Bros by bringing the world of Wonka to players in “Words With Friends” and other titles. “We’re always looking for new ways to bring engaging experiences to our players, and inviting our community to interact with one of the world’s most beloved characters is a perfect golden ticket holiday surprise.”
Cameron Curtis, EVP, Worldwide Digital Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures, said Wonka is one of the most highly anticipated movies this holiday season. “By combining it with Zynga and four of their games, including “Words With Friends” an evergreen cultural sensation that has connected millions of layers for over a decade – we are creating unique opportunities for engagement that unite gaming and film fans across the big screen and mobile devices.”
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