With Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens set to hit theaters on December 18, millions of fans of the popular science fiction series can’t wait to see what’s next. In the past, we’ve talked about marketing partners on board for the film, including Subway and Duracell, but this week, it will go light speed with two new promotions.
First up, previously reported by Mashable, Target has just launched a new promotion in conjunction with Lucasfilm that will help Star Wars fans share their fandom while they wait for new products to be revealed. Titled “Share the Force,” the program enables them to share memories of their beloved sci-fi franchise, which are then stored in large 3D virtual environments “galaxies”, if you will based on characters from the films, including Darth Vader and Boba Fett. Other fans will then be able to explore them however they please. The video below shows just how these interactive universes will work.
Stars are getting involved as well, including Nerdist’s Chris Hardwick, who shared a photo he got with creator George Lucas in 2012, and Saturday Night Live star Bobby Moynihan, playing with Star Wars figurines.
“We’re excited to not only be creating the first collection of fan memories, but also to be giving (fans) the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for their memories to become a permanent part of the Star Wars legacy,” said Rick Gomez, senior vice president of marketing for Target.
There’s no doubt that this campaign will play a big part in Star Wars mania in the weeks ahead, and that Target will be one of many retailers benefitting from the new toys and other Force Awakens-licensed goods coming to shelves. This Friday, YouTube will be hosting a global live toy unboxing event that will span over 18 hours, showing fans the range of merchandise that will be available this holiday season. Digital stars from the Maker Studios will be on hand for the reveal.
“Star Wars toys have always played an important role in how our fans interact with the saga,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “They’ve inspired multiple generations to relive the experience of the movies and to create new adventures all their own. These spectacular Star Wars: The Force Awakens products will continue that tradition.”
Click here to learn more about the global reveal event on the official Star Wars page. It’s going to be a busy day.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuts in theaters December 18th.
