NEWS

Rubik’s brand sees ‘phenomenal growth’ in digital uptake throughout the world’s lockdown period

Published on: 15th July 2020

The Rubik’s brand has reported a ‘phenomenal growth’ in digital engagement from its community of Rubik’s Cube fans and followers of the brand extension, driven, it states, by the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures taken across the globe.

It’s during the brand’s 40th anniversary that it has ramped up its digital and social measures in a move to counter the momentary pause placed on face to face meetings and gatherings, a cornerstone of the Rubik’s brand. The company even jumped on the chance to develop a social campaign to educate people how to solve a Rubik’s Cube while engaging with the brand from home.

The brand’s website now includes downloadable and mobile-friendly solution guides, while the YouTube channel features videos to suit all skill levels.

Several Rubik’s ambassadors including Keaton Ellis from the USA and Jack Cai from Australia have been recruited to inspire and teach people all about the solve, and each Friday they broadcast to the Rubik’s social Channel’s subscribers and followers, with the hashtag #FastFriday.

Christoph Bettin, the Rubik’s Brand CEO, said: “We quickly learned at the start of the lockdown that solving interest was at an all-time high by those choosing to occupy their time with learning a new skill. Very quickly, the term #CubeAtHome was seen by over 17 million people on the TikTok channel, and this spread to other social media platforms with #AdventureEveryTurn hitting 2.1 million views in just one month.

“We amplified social channel interest with a new campaign called ‘Adventure Every Turn’, which encouraged cube fans to view solution guides and enjoy the challenge of unravelling a scrambled cube.”

The Rubik’s Cube – invented by Professor Erno Rubik – started out life as a means to teach his architectural students. 40 years on and it has evolved into the world’s most successful single toy. To date, nearly half a billion Rubik’s Cubes have been sold, and in 2020 over 20 million Rubik’s product are expected to be sold globally.

Along the way, Rubik’s has formed several partnerships to create new and unique Rubik’s themed products outside of games and puzzles, including its Etch-A-Sketch partnership with Spin Master, The OP, Perplexus, DeKryptic and Marvin’s Magic.

Bettin concluded: “Face to face events are on hold for reasons of safety and social distancing, but we’ve seen a phenomenal growth in digital engagement. This change in circumstance has seen a massive growth of interest in puzzles and games, together with a yearning for nostalgia.

“The ’80s is now a decade admired even by those too young to experience it the first time around. We will continue to celebrate during our anniversary year, when events that were hitherto ‘in person’ may well be adapted to online experiences. You cannot beat the power of face to face gatherings, but we look forward to providing exciting interactive alternatives.”

 

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