PIERINA MERINO: “FLICKPLAY IS THE FIRST DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT ENABLES USERS TO IMMERSE IN A CITY CONTENT GAME”
A Venezuela born, Pierina was 16 years old when she emigrated to the United States of America. She first launched a 3D-printed accessories collection sold in 33 stores of the Nordstrom chain. Based in LA, she talks to us today about how her business marks
Hispanic Fortune interviewed CEO & Founder of FlickPlay, Pierina Merino.
Hispanic Fortune: Why does FlickPlay have so many downloads among American influencers?
Pierina Merino: Influencers are noted for their power to be influential. To get there, they must become innovation pioneers and be ready to adopt new trends to remain relevant to their communities. FlickPlay allows content creators and influencers to make high-level creative video that can set them apart inside and outside of FlickPlay. While we have so far been able to organically attract the attention of leading influencers, our eye is set on helping develop the new generation on our platform. By promoting the app on their various social platforms, trend-setting content developers get the opportunity to monetize unlocked experiences.
H.F.: What is the app’s best trait?
P.M.: Our AR (Augmented Reality) tools enable the community to create video stories with elements out of their imagination. On FlickPlay, you can play a good or bad angel, watch the planets without a telescope, blow up fresh tulips all around or jump to different worlds; all of this on a 16-second video that can feature multiple frames, multiple experiences, embedded music and text. By creating immersive and gaming experiences, we power a new canvas for social storytelling. We enable users to create engaging video that is shareable inside and outside of FlickPlay. Experiences use Augmented Reality (AR), drawing inspiration from pop culture moments, themes, and places.
H.F.: How has Augmented Reality become part of luxury fashion branding? P.M.: The capacity of Augmented Reality (AR) to merge the physical and digital world is changing not only the way we communicate and tell stories, but also the way in which fashion brands like Dior, Tissot and Gucci interact with their clients. AR has also endless possibilities to impact the world of entertainment. By 2022, AR ads are expected to account for 15% of branding strategies, making its early adoption a key factor in securing a comparative competitive advantage.
H.F.: Why is the app expanding in pandemic times?
P.M.: FlickPlay makes it possible to develop virtual branding and connect to target audiences not only in a city but in global, open-air locations, and without the risks of indoor events. Cities become a blank canvas where users can live in two realities, with or without FlickPlay. This platform powers entertainment and fashion brand relations over a wider space that needs no social distancing.
H.F.: How is the gaming experience and how is it similar to Pokémon Go?
P.M.: FlickPlay App is the first digital platform that enables users to immerse in a city content game. These experiences are relevant to users because they are based on two big pillars: on the one hand, the linking of points and rewards to the goals pursued; on the other hand, the interaction of fashion brands in very relevant locations and with highly creative content that incites sharing. From Pokémon Go, we have all the gaming interactions plus the capturing in the city. We are similar to TikTok in the way repetition is used to increase video views. We are like Snapchat in technology and creative trends. Unlike other social-network platforms where content is merely viewed or created, here user-developed videos are interactive and so they become part of the game. In that way, users participate in a fun, points-awarding experience.
H.F.: What is the origin of the app’s name?
P.M.: Flick is the technical term applied when video-cameras start to film. Flick is linked to the concept of ‘record’ and ‘play’: as in a game. The chameleon became its isolotype because the app has one special trait of that little animal –its special capacity to blend into its surrounding.
H.F.: What is its model?
P.M.: FlickPlay uses a ‘freemium’ model that allows users to download the app and interact with some experiences at no charge. Users do not need to pay for any experience so long as their capture coins. While users keep active in their interaction with the app, they will collect enough coins to unblock experiences and rewards. Alternatively, users may pay for unblocking experiences, personality badges and other attractions. Thanks to brand partnerships with the platform, users can obtain limited-time bounties, rewards, or exclusive experiences available to the whole community.