Game of brands: Marketing strategies inspired by Game of Thrones

“Power resides where men believe it resides. It’s a trick, a shadow on the wall. And, a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

When it comes to your marketing, you want your shadow to be cast as far and as wide as possible. You want your name to be known, your message to be spread, and your power will come from winning over new business. That’s because, when it comes to business, you win or you die.

It might sound dramatic, but developing a marketing strategy often can be. That is why so many strategists have looked to the Game of Thrones phenomenon, seeing how everyone vying for the same spot can create disasters or can crown a new King or Queen.

Do you want to rule the Seven Kingdoms?

Much of the storyline of Game of Thrones centres around the power hungry, all prepared to go to any lengths to sit on the Iron Throne and rule the world. For many, it was a task that proved to be too ambitious (like season eight), driving some to madness and others to certain death. This is because they had over-reached. They set campaigns in motion that could never defeat bigger opposition, tied themselves in knots trying to second guess their enemies, and forged relationships that were less than healthy.

One character who came out on top was the inimitable Sansa Stark. Much like her father before her, Sansa knew what her limitations were, choosing to remain as Queen of the North, rather than stretching too far. She knew that the people of the North were the ones who would follow her, and that she could dominate here in a way that she could not if she tried to take on Kings Landing.

There is a lot to be learned from Sansa when it comes to marketing. Knowing your market, dealing with them directly and winning them over can be far more effective than an over-arching plan that tries to cover everybody and ultimately reaches nobody. It is always important to understand who your audience is and make sure that you are talking to them. If your ambitions are bigger than this, then once you are at the top of your game in one area, you can think about a march to the capital.

“Fear cuts deeper than swords”

House Stark showed a lot of understanding throughout the series, and these are wise words from Arya when it comes to marketing. You do not necessarily need to instil fear into your audience, but you should make sure that you understand what their problems and issues are so that you can build a marketing strategy around solving them. Let them identify with you by showing you recognise their dilemma and then provide the solution through your products or services. It’s a tried and tested marketing technique, and it can be far more effective than aggressive strategies.

Bring the dragons

Now, we appreciate that you may not be able to provide actual dragons, but follow in the footsteps of Daenerys Targaryen and show your audience something they have never seen before. The uniqueness might be what you offer, or it could be the way you package it, through an innovative marketing strategy. Thinking outside of the box can help to capture the imagination of your audience, without the threat of being burnt to a crisp.

The quiet assassin

Game of Thrones brings with it a lot of noise. Whether it is the cry of “dracarys”, the spilling of blood or a charging army, almost every side resorted to combat and death, and none of them came out on top. Yes, it’s time to issue a spoiler alert, but the job of ruling and uniting the Seven Kingdoms finally falls to the quiet power of Bran Stark. By serving as the Three-Eyed Raven, Bran can see what others cannot, and his journey becomes one of learning rather than violence. By taking a quieter approach, Bran is able to have a greater sight and understanding of what lies before him, and he becomes a popular choice (not necessarily to GoT fans) as ruler as he has earned trust from those around him.

This shows that aggressive and combative marketing strategies are not always the most successful, and those which can show empathy and credibility are more likely to be trusted by the consumer, buying not just a sale, but a long-term relationship.

At Koobr, we love to bring people together through our varied and creative marketing strategies and tools. We can help to apply Tyrion-like wisdom to help bring your brand alive and let you cast the biggest shadow. Get in touch now by calling 01332 419803 or email hello@koobr.com.

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