Wimpy Kid and Bare Tree Media have expanded their digital partnership with the introduction of augmented reality social media effects and a global expansion of their stickers within keyboard mobile applications.

“I’ve loved seeing fans around the globe engage with the Wimpy Kid brand using our existing emoji-style stickers,” says Jeff Kinney, author, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. “This year, we wanted to expand the Wimpy Kid universe, and I’m thrilled to have the brand-new augmented reality and sticker formats on major global platforms. I’m really looking forward to seeing where Greg can go with his fans in 2020!” 

Bare Tree Media designed and released three augmented reality effects themed around the latest installment in the middle-grade series Diary of a Wimpy Kid 14: Wrecking Ball. The AR effects offer users the ability to insert a swinging virtual wrecking ball into their camera scene and then wreck, record and share a real-world scene of their choice. The AR filters are available to engage Wimpy Kid fans on “Facebook” and “Instagram” and as an AR lens on Snapchat.

“Augmented reality is a great marketing platform for brands to engage audiences, and a perfect fit for the Wimpy Kid fan base to create and share their special moments with a wrecking ball,” says Bob Ferrari, chief executive officer, Bare Tree Media. “We are also very excited to expand sticker distribution through Baidu in key markets around the world.” 

Bare Tree Media also expanded their Wimpy Kid-branded digital presence to include digital stickers released within Baidu’s keyboard apps worldwide, including Facemoji Keyboard in the United States, Simeji in Japan and Baidu IME in China.

“We are delighted to be kicking off 2020 by launching these stickers with Bare Tree Media and Wimpy Kid, Inc.,” says Josh Fenn, senior marketing manager, Baidu. “Now, our keyboard app users around the world can all enjoy Wimpy Kid’s uniquely charming brand of humor when they chat with their friends online.”