Can you believe that most of the world has no idea who Brown the Bear and Cony the Bunny are? Line Corp. plans to open more than 100 stores selling Line swag around the world as part of a campaign to make the brand that’s become a daily part of our lives go global.
The Associated Press writes about their quest for global conquest:
Once just digital stickers that users of mobile messaging app Line send to each other like emoticons, the bear, the bunny and their seven friends will soon be unleashed through stores, virtual reality and possibly an animated film.
Though partly an accidental strategy, the company says the bricks-and-mortar presence will draw more users to the app and help replicate its rapid Asian success in other regions. It will also give the company a backdoor into China, where Line is blocked along with other foreign messaging apps and social media sites.
