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TREASURE HUNTED WITH MR. PORTER

A couple weeks ago, I had just returned home from vacation. After passing out post travel at about 9:30 on Saturday night, I woke up at 7:30 on Sunday morning. With most of the city still asleep, there wasn’t much I could do to entertain myself, until I remembered Mr. Porter’s treasure hunt with the Gold Run iPhone app. So I showered up and headed out.

When you load up the app, you’re presented with a set of “runs” to participate in. “Runs” are essentially scavenger hunts for the digital age and there were several going on in the city, but I was after only one. I was presented with the above google map and a few pinpoints of where to go. The first, in TriBeCa was not far from my home so I walked over.

As you approach one of the designated locations, the app shows you the screen on the above left. When you click “View” your phone switches to camera mode and a virtual Mr. Porter shopping bag appears. You can resize and drag it anywhere you like to take a picture and share it to wherever you like. When you’re done snapping the picture, you’re presented with the screen on the right. Free shipping? Get real, that’s the last thing I wanted to see early on a Sunday morning. Where’s that Margiela?

Disappointed that I got the parting gift for the first stop, I decided to walk up to the spot in the Meatpacking District, which is an oddly pleasant place when empty. No dice, free shipping again. C’mon.

The 3rd spot on the map was at Columbus Circle. Not exactly an easy walk, but a quick enough cab ride. That is, until the half-marathon got in the way at 42nd street where I exited to take the train (serves my lazy ass right). I went through the motions again, placing the Mr. Porter bag in the hands of a statue because I’m so artistic. Success! I won a pair of cufflinks. High on the win, I decided to go to the final spot, out in Brooklyn. An R ride, an L ride and several blocks later, I found myself underneath the Williamsburg bridge trying my luck again. Well, apparently you can’t win more than once. Oh well. My cufflinks arrived today, different than those pictured, but who am I to complain?

My own selfish motives aside, this is an app that has some serious potential. It has the idea of foursquare, but brings more urgency to it. The app allows for many parameters and doesn’t require the physical presence of a marketing manager or even the prize, just the virtual presence. I have my own ideas for it, but you really could do anything if you’re a brand. Check out what they did with Airwalk:

There was also a pretty amazing campaign with a European car company, but I can’t find anything on it. So yah, this shit could be dope. The Mr. Porter contest is continuing across the globe. For more information, visit MrPorter.com.

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