Strategy April 08, 2019
Game of Thrones Branded Merchandise Push Reaches Fever Pitch
Everything from edibles to sneakers features among the popular promotional products.
From Oreos to wine to limited edition pins, there’s a wealth of branded merchandise helping to hype – and cash in on -- Sunday’s final season premiere of the wildly popular HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.
The Oreos are probably our personal favorite. There’s nothing new about the flavors; they’re tried-and-true Oreos. But what makes them unique is that the crests of the great houses vying for the Iron Throne and an image of the White Walkers are designed into the crunchy chocolate crumb that holds the white cream filling.
The most epic cookies of all time are here. #GameOfCookies #ForTheThrone pic.twitter.com/jzCVpfPUzs
— Oreo Cookie (@Oreo) April 2, 2019
Another consumable bit of GoT-branded awesomeness is likely to be Tyrion Lannister’s favorite. It’s wine of course. There’s a Pinot Noir, a Chardonnay, and a Red Wine blend. You can learn more about the taste profiles, where they’re produced, and buy them here and also here. For us, the coolest part is the fantastically on-brand label designs.
Keen for something stronger? Then treat yourself to a wee dram of Limited Edition White Walker by Johnnie Walker. “The limited edition bottle utilizes thermochromic ink to give fans a frosty surprise message when frozen,” Johnnie Walker says. “With flavor notes like caramelized sugar, vanilla, and fresh red berries, White Walker by Johnnie Walker makes for a delicious serve. The new blend is best served ice cold, inspired by the White Walkers beyond The Wall.”
Ample GoT-branded wearables are available, too. Each Monday, of late, HBO has been revealing pins that form part of a new Game of Thrones Collector’s Pins set. Pins come in the form of dragon eggs, a Hound helmet, a three-eyed raven, a dragonglass knife and other design motifs that will be familiar to fans of the show.
One of the highest profile merch collaborations around the final season of GoT involves the collection of Game of Thrones sneakers from Adidas. The German footwear and apparel brand reimagined its best-selling Ultraboost sneakers to incorporate designs and themes from Westeros. Colorways and prints – and even textures – represent leading houses and characters, like White Walkers, from the show. Shoe tongues bear the GoT sigil, while the corresponding group’s tagline appears on the heal tag. The White Walker Ultraboost tennis shoes, for instance, feature icy blue, white and black colors that are reminiscent of a frozen landscape, while featuring the “Winter is Here” motto on the tag.
Meanwhile, new socks in the HBO Game of Thrones shop would make a nice complement to the Adidas sneakers. On the soles, the socks bear a message many GoT fans would probably like conveyed to others once the new season starts.
From a promotional products perspective, the GoT merch emphasizes a fundamental truth: People want to feel a tangible connection to brands they love, and well-done branded merchandise, in a variety of forms, can build that connection. It does so while reinforcing and marketing the brand – a win for everyone.