With Over 100,000 Downloads, the “Zippo Moment”¹ Cracks App Store Top 3 in Its First Week

BRADFORD, Penn. & SAN FRANCISCO (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) October 2, 2008 -- Zippo Manufacturing Company and Moderati Inc. today announced the launch of the Virtual Zippo Lighter, a free, branded application available in Apple’s iTunes App Store for the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

We are excited to launch the Virtual Zippo Lighter into Apple's App Store

It's a true representation of our brand in a virtual format and our partnership with Moderati, with their experience in mobile marketing and development, is helping to bring a digital alternative to the 'Zippo Moment' for 21st century concertgoers.

Zippo is widely-known as the best and coolest lighter in the world

We are taking that concept to the virtual world, and the iPhone is the perfect platform for it. We are proud to hold our Virtual Zippo Lighters aloft.

The Virtual Zippo Lighter brings the look and feel of Zippo’s iconic lighter to the iPhone, with interactive action that mimics the real thing. It opens with a flick of the wrist and lights with a turn of the flint wheel and the truly windproof flame sways as the device is moved back and forth. The Virtual Zippo Lighter allows Zippo fans to experience the famous “Zippo Moment” for free, by holding their cell phones aloft and swaying to power ballads at concerts.

Zippo manufactures an average of 12 million windproof pocket lighters each year, and nearly 450 million since the first lighter was created in 1932. Zippo windproof lighters enjoy a widespread and enviable reputation as valuable collectibles throughout the world. In the United States alone there are more than four million collectors, plus millions more worldwide – and throughout cyberspace. This collaboration with Moderati represents the brand’s first cooperative foray into downloadable applications for mobile devices.

“We are excited to launch the Virtual Zippo Lighter into Apple’s App Store,” said Pat Grandy, Marketing Communications Manager at Zippo. “It’s a true representation of our brand in a virtual format and our partnership with Moderati, with their experience in mobile marketing and development, is helping to bring a digital alternative to the ‘Zippo Moment’ for 21^st century concertgoers.”

This collaboration marks Moderati’s entry into iPhone application development. Long known for its mobile on-deck content services and ringtone application development, Moderati has been increasingly working to introduce brands to the mobile arena through its relationships and expertise.

The Virtual Zippo Lighter features a selection of designs to customize the skin of the lighter, as well as an animated flame that reacts to movement of the phone. The application takes advantage of several features of the iPhone and iPod Touch developer platform, including the accelerometer to enable movement of the flame in response to motion. Realistic sound effects highlight the action of the lighter when it opens and closes, and the vibration feature lets you know when the flame is upside down.

“Zippo is widely-known as the best and coolest lighter in the world,” said Cindy Mesaros, SVP of Marketing and acting President of Moderati. “We are taking that concept to the virtual world, and the iPhone is the perfect platform for it. We are proud to hold our Virtual Zippo Lighters aloft.”

Currently, the Virtual Zippo Lighter is the only free and branded lighter in the App Store with fully interactive lighter simulation, a realistic looking flame and multiple case designs. Future releases of the application will include the ability to engrave on the lighter and blow out the flame.

Check out the Virtual Zippo Lighter on iTunes and at http://www.moderati.com/zippo.html and http://www.zippo.com.

About Zippo

For 76 years, Zippo Manufacturing Company, maker of the world-famous windproof lighter, has developed new and unique products that solidify the brand as the name in flame. Based in Bradford, Pennsylvania and distributed in more than 150 countries worldwide, Zippo is synonymous with American-made quality and craftsmanship.

About Moderati, a Bellrock Media Company

Moderati is one of the top mobile media companies in North America, with unparalleled distribution through the decks of all major and second tier U.S. carriers. The company delivers content under carrier brands and partner brands, as well as under its own brands, which include Modtones (ringtones and wallpaper) and Mobile Faker, an entertainment product that turns mobile phones into social weapons. Founded in 2001, Moderati was acquired by Bellrock Media in 2007. Bellrock Media creates original platform-conscious content that features organic integrations of branding and marketing messages. The company’s investors include Yoshimoto Kogyo, Intel Corporation and Faith Inc.

All trademarks and/or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

¹The term Zippo Moment was coined by Ann Powers, former Village Voice and New York Times music critic, to describe the way in which fans would light their Zippo lighters in anticipation of a favorite song or power ballad.

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