RUSH, BARNES AND COLE GET ‘APPY’ FOR HYUNDAI

24.03.2011 / London - Seoul - Dubai /

As part of Hyundai’s Euro 2012 qualifier sponsorship, Hyundai created a series of �Boot Shoot’ idents where famous retired footballers were set football challenges around a number of Hyundai cars. The idents are currently live and will be seen on Saturday’s Sky coverage of the Wales vs England game.

The idents proved so popular that Hyundai decided to look into other ways of bringing the brand to life, and the �Boot Shoot’ iPhone app was a result of this.

The new Hyundai Boot Shoot app, which features the very latest technology to give a realistic 3D in-stadium feel, allows players to score points by flicking footballs into the open boot of a Hyundai ix35. As the game advances, additional points can be scored by targeting shots at the body work and windows of ix35’s speeding around on the on-screen pitch. It will be available to download for free from Apple iTunes from Saturday 26th March and the app will provide users with details of the Hyundai range as well as allowing them to arrange a test drive through their nearest dealership.

Hyundai UK's Marketing Director, Andrew Cullis commented: "This March Hyundai embarked on the next stage of its brand evolution with the launch of a new brand positioning and a new strap line: New Thinking. New Possibilities. This positioning demonstrates how we as a brand think differently and how we are constantly looking for new ideas in all areas of the business for the benefit of our customers. For us, converting a successful piece of creative into an engaging game is a new way of connecting consumers with our brand. It is a great example of us developing content for use in multiple communication channels.�

In a live recreation of the app, Ian Rush and John Barnes battled it out in a goal shoot out in central London yesterday to celebrate the launch of Hyundai’s new Boot Shoot iPhone app. Refereed by celebrity WAG and fitness instructor Carly Cole, the event saw the former England and Wales legends come together ahead of the England vs Wales Euro 2012 qualifier on Sat 26th March.

Tony Whitehorn, Managing Director at Hyundai Motor UK Ltd, comments: “We had an overwhelming response from members of the public when we launched our Hyundai Football Challenge TV ads to coincide with the Euro 2012 qualifiers, so we developed this app to further raise brand awareness and engage with consumers in a different way. The use of apps are becoming such a part of day to day life – which is reflected by them recently being added to the Consumer Prices Index and Retail Prices Index basket of goods and services, and they’re a great way for brands to provide additional services via a popular channel. The best apps are relevant and useful in people’s lives; they inform, connect or entertain. With the launch of the Hyundai Boot Shoot app we are aiming to entertain.�

TS