Celebs get their own apps
Various apps allow smartphone users to personalise their photos with a Geico caveman, poke the belly of the penguin from the movie Happy Feet (keyed to the upcoming sequel), or learn new ways to be handy - thanks to an app from The Home Depot. Can the same strategy be harnessed for those whose only product is their fame?
Adam Kotkin, CEO of Red Bank, NJ-based Apps Genius Corp, believes the answer is an exuberant "yes!" The company's team recently added a division that allows celebrities an effective method to market themselves: building apps and games around their personas.
Kotkin, who has an entrepreneurial background with experience in social networking, gaming design, and electronic communications, is guiding a small but dedicated team of developers to create a series of mobile apps that are both addictive and fun. More recently, in order to boost its profile among the galaxy of app developers, Apps Genius has taken a much bolder step forward. With the formation of its Celebrity Apps Division, the company is hoping to attract big names in entertainment, and convince them that they can enhance the value of their brand with a set of mobile apps that will appeal to their fans.
'Snooki' becomes a partner
Already, Apps Genius has scored one major celebrity partner: the company has secured an agreement with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, the diminutive star of the reality show Jersey Shore, to deliver up to eight games and apps featuring her. The first of these mobile apps, "Snookify Me!", was recently released for iTunes and Android sites. It allows users to "Snookify" pictures of themselves and their friends in a matter of seconds and post them to Facebook walls, email, or upload to a "Snooki" Gallery that allows other users to rate their "Snookify Me!"-created pictures.
Users of the app can choose from Snooki's different hairstyles including her famous "poof," various clothing apparel, stylish sunglasses, flashy jewellery, and even tan themselves to look like the most popular of Jersey Shore's cast members.
Positive response from fans
"Mobile apps have become so popular that any celebrity who hasn't explored them is letting their fans down," said Kotkin. "Our Celebrity Apps Division allows celebrities to build and develop personalised apps. Our first project, working directly with Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, has been a wonderful experience for all of us. With the launch of "Snookify Me!" at Nicole's 24th birthday party, we have seen some amazing photos being uploaded to our galleries."
The app joins App Genius' family of apps, including "My Mad Millions," which lets users blow an imaginary US$300 million on everything from fancy houses to the stock market; only those players who lose all their money can win the game. "Bruisers" is a strategy war game that lets players engage in role-play as pirates and ninjas who are outfitted with weapons that players choose. "Slap A Friend," true to its name, lets you virtually slap, beat, stretch and flip your buddies, drop bowling balls on them, or smack them with a bat.
For more information, go to www.appsgenius.com.
