If you're unfamiliar with a creative brainstorming session, it can be exciting, tense, loose, intimidating, funny and insane. Big ideas come from anywhere, they say; but we've found they often come from insightful strategy, open minds, empty Diet Cokes and almonds.
An example of this unpredictably is the recent Facebook game JMG created for The Palmetto Bank.
Rewind to why we called the brainstorming session:
The Palmetto Bank wanted to let the Upstate of South Carolina know that for 105 years, the bank has kept the same name. Big deal, you might say. But look around. Here in the Upstate, many banks have changed names four times in three years. Not so for this bank. Since 1906, The Palmetto Bank has been The Palmetto Bank.
As we finished brainstorming radio and print campaigns, we ventured into unchartered territory. Here is that brainstorming session, slightly condensed and G-rated:
-I'm hungry.
-Me too. Pass the almonds.
-The problem with print ads is that no one can forward or share them.
-No one records a radio spot either. It's not viral enough. We need something bigger.
-How about a game they could play and share with friends?
-It's gotta be cool. And easy to share.
-Well, our audience is always on Facebook.
-Everyone's on Facebook.
(Nodding of heads.)
-The average Facebook user has about 130 friends.
(Approximate 2-hour break for mathematics.)
-450,000 people in the Upstate, 130 friends. That's a big audience.
-So what would be fun and unexpected?
-And on strategy.
-Oh yeah. And on strategy.
-Well, how do other banks create their names?
-Maybe they use a dart board.
-Or a Ouija board.
-Or have a magical leprechaun.
-Or play Mad Libs.
-Or they open up an Encyclopedia and point to random words.
-What's an Encyclopedia?
(Shocked silence from the older generation.)
-Maybe they have secret technology. Like an online test they take.
-Yeah, and it asks for their favorite music.
-And movie.
-We call it the Bank Name Generator.
-Yes! And the Palmetto Bank can "release" this secret game to the world, and people can create their own customized bank name and then share it with friends and family.
-High-five!
So that's what we did. It helps to have a client that trusts you, and that truly understands the excitement (and complexities) of social media. So now, we invite you to play The Palmetto Bank's "Bank Name Generator" Facebook game. And remember, if you like it, please share with friends and family.
Play here: The Palmetto Bank Facebook Game
