Winter is Here: How Brands are Leveraging Game of Thrones on Social

As we wrap up April and head into May, the warm weather may feel like spring, but it hasn’t stopped Winter from coming – and with it comes brand bandwagon-ing. With over 10 million viewers, Game of Thrones, or GoT, is a 12-time Primetime Emmy Award winner and HBO’s most popular show ever (surpassing The Sopranos).  Once viewed as a series for sci-fi and fantasy lovers, it’s transformed into a cultural movement – and brands have taken note. Surrounding the premiere of the final season, brands shared GoT themed content across social media, filled inboxes with GoT-inspired email newsletters, or even released GoT versions of their products. But who hit the bullseye and who missed the mark? Check out this roundup of our favorite GoT social and digital content.

Oreo lured in GoT fans by re-creating the title sequence of the show using Oreo cookies in a stop-motion video, featuring their limited edition Game of Thrones packaging and cookie designs. They leveraged their unique posts across channels and needless to say, the cookies were a popular pick-me-up for watch parties across the seven kingdoms.

The (client) U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council shared a Game of Thrones themed Instagram post that left our mouths watering for a blueberry scone and ready to jump in the kitchen. It is blueberry season after all – how can we resist a little thrones and scones?

Urban decay announced a partnership with Game of Thrones for a limited edition line of GoT inspired cosmetics in the beginning of April that left their customers wanting. Throughout the month they shared GoT memes and content (especially on Twitter) created a landing page for previews, showed it off in a beautiful display at wondercon, hosted a launch party and finally, when the internet was on the edge of their seats, they released the cosmetic line. Since, they’ve stayed constant and are consistently sharing user-generated content and celebrating the partnership across platforms.

Few forms of social media content are as heartwarming as posts of animals. BarkBox, a subscription service for dogs, hosted an “interview” between a canine character from Game of Thrones and a pet, in which the pet who “does not understand T.V. drama” tries to recap each season of Game of Thrones. The dog shares a summary of each season (summaries written from a BarkBox employee who has not seen the show) through several posts and it’s adorable.  

Our client, the Virginia Lottery made a video post on Instagram and Facebook and shared a GIF across platforms highlighting their Winter Luck and Royal Riches Scratchers – which could be a great group activity or gift at your next Game of Thrones viewing party.

What brands did you take note of leading up to the premiere? Has your business leveraged the show? And, who do you think will take the throne? Let us know in the comments below.

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