NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- eko, the
leader in choice-driven entertainment, today released "KidHQ," an
interactive, branded video experience for the holiday season and
beyond. KidHQ welcomes kids to a multi-floor digital headquarters
with branded experiences from Walmart (Walmart Toy Lab), and Mattel
(The Barbie Dream Floor) with more brands and floors to be
announced. The BuzzFeed-produced "KidHQ" is now available
at https://kidhq.com for kids to experience the evolution of
toy unboxing and offer parents valuable insights on what their kids
really want.
At KidHQ, kids are given the chance to become "toy testers" and
help find out which of this season's hottest toys are the most fun
to play with. Using eko's patented, live-action video technology,
they use the "Funtroller" to explore and play. Kids can also embark
on a magical adventure using the "Funovator" to explore "floors,"
meet Santa, interact with live-action and animated characters, help
to build a vlog with Barbie and more. Accessible from a phone,
tablet or computer, viewers click or tap prompts that appear on the
screen to choose what happens and where to go next. eko's
technology provides uninterrupted interactive video the entire
time, so choices are seamless and feel like a wish come true to
kids and adults alike. Designed as a safe, open and COPPA-compliant
experience for kids, KidHQ proves why eko's technology is the new
way for brands to connect with audiences online.
At the end of the experience, kids can share their "Toy Report,"
a wish list that helps parents discover what their kids want for
the holidays. In a special "Grown Up Only" floor in KidHQ, the Toy
Report becomes a seamless click-to-shop experience for parents
powered by eko's relationship with Walmart.
"Being a retailer isn't simply about selling items anymore –
it's about creating an experience for our customers," Anne Marie Kehoe, Walmart's vice president of
toys explained. "The Walmart Toy Lab is a way for us to create a
digital experience for kids to really see our Top Rated toys in
action as we enter the holiday season."
"Increasingly, we are looking to give kids new ways to create an
imaginative world around their beloved Mattel brands and
characters," said Janet Hsu, Chief
Franchise Officer, Mattel. "The 'Barbie DreamFloor at KidHQ' does
just that, putting kids in the driver's seat so that they can
create their own Barbie interactive experiences."
"KidHQ is filling a gap left behind by shuttered toy stores and
old-school catalogs, and in the process is reinventing how brands
connect with people," said Ivy
Sheibar, CBO of eko. "I have young children and know first
hand that kids have grown accustomed to interacting and playing
with technology. KidHQ fulfills these expectations by inviting kids
to choose what happens next throughout the experience rather than
passively consuming content. At eko, we believe it's the future for
entertainment and brands alike."
KidHQ is presented as an eko original, produced by BuzzFeed, the
world's leading independent digital media company and directed by
Ira Rosenweig. Together, eko and
BuzzFeed have also made an interactive version of the Tasty recipe
brand, along with interactive quiz videos and other choice-driven
content.
"Building off eko's success and our on-going partnership,
BuzzFeed is thrilled to be involved and help bring KidHQ to life,"
said Ben Kaufman, CMO of BuzzFeed.
"The interactive content reinvents fun and play while also creating
a new template for commerce and advertising."
The Walmart Toy Lab, created by Walmart and eko, is part of the
KidHQ experience this year. After announcing a joint venture last
year, eko and Walmart are partnering on a slate of interactive
fiction and non-fiction series.
About eko
eko is a pioneering interactive
entertainment company that lets audiences shape stories as they
unfold. eko's technology allows viewers to affect, control, and
influence interactive entertainment like never before. The company
provides a platform for interactive stories and partners with media
companies, independent creators and top brands to create deeply
engaging experiences for audiences. Stories are distributed through
Helloeko.com, affiliate partners, and social networks; available on
desktop, mobile, and connected devices. The company has over 15
patents for its technology, including its proprietary player and
authoring tools. eko Studio, the company's suite of authoring
tools, is also offered for free to a community of creators who
craft their own interactive experiences using eko's platform.
For more information, visit www.helloeko.com.
About BuzzFeed
BuzzFeed is the world's leading
tech-powered media company, with a cross-platform news and
entertainment network that reaches hundreds of millions of people
globally. The company produces articles, lists, quizzes, videos,
original series; lifestyle content through brands including Tasty,
the world's largest social food network; original reporting and
investigative journalism through BuzzFeed News; strategic
partnerships, licensing and product development through BuzzFeed
Marketing; and original productions across broadcast, cable, SVOD,
film and digital platforms for BuzzFeed Studios
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people
around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere
- in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each
week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than
11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce
websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million
associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.
Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting
http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at
http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/walmart.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global children's
entertainment company that specializes in design and production of
quality toys and consumer products. We create innovative products
and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children
through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic
franchises, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®,
Fisher-Price®, Thomas & Friends® and MEGA®, as well as other
popular brands that we own or license in partnership with global
entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television
content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 40 locations
and sell products in more than 150 countries in collaboration with
the world's leading retail and technology companies. Since its
founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in
exploring the wonder of childhood and empowering kids to reach
their full potential. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.
Press Contact:
TriplePoint for eko
eko@triplepointpr.com
415-955-8500
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SOURCE eko