Innovation challenge to zap pimples

Pimples are trespassers with the capability of instantly ruining your day.

Last fall, Bioré tasked University of Cincinnati students to assist with its launch of a new product in the fight against acne.

The Bioré brand, owned by the Tokyo, Japan-based Kao Corporation, is known for its skincare products to unclog pores, such as nose strips, cleansers and facial scrubs. 

Through a corporate partnership with UC inside the 1819 Innovation Hub, Kao USA Inc. connected with UC students for an innovation challenge to create a mobile game promoting the new Bioré Blemish Patch. The idea was to help generate buzz and interest for the new product using a platform appealing to the teen/young adult market.

Innovation challenges allow students to apply classroom knowledge to practical business problem-solving. UC corporate partners gain new perspectives from students, who also often represent target markets for their products.

“These students give a fresh perspective to the challenge. They are our consumers for many of our brands, so their perspective is critically important to the success of our brands. There’s no better way to resonate with Gen Z consumers than having their hands-on support to launch a new product,” said Lindsay Stricker, a UC alumna who is the technology innovator and university partnerships lead at Kao USA Inc. 

Nineteen students were divided into five teams across majors that included marketing, industrial design, computer science, engineering, business analytics and visual communications. Teams had one week to create the first mobile-digital interactive pimple game. Students incorporated various elements such as the “pimple monster” to engage consumers in continued play.

“We worked in close partnership with our UC relationship manager, RJ Sargent. He was a big help in spreading the word to university professors and various student organizations across the Cincinnati Innovation District’s social media channels and on UC campus,” Stricker said.

Contributing to the well-being of communities is a guiding principle of KAO. The brand accomplishes this by supporting education, cultural exchange and the promotion health and hygiene worldwide.

All participating students received a $100 gift card. Bioré gave additional gift cards to the following:

• First place team: $300 per team member
• Second place team: $200 per team member
• Audience choice (the participating students voted on this): $100 per team member

Each student also received a certificate of completion for their portfolios and to post on social media.

The Bioré Blemish Patch product has launched online and in-stores, and officials are reviewing the winning mobile game design, with hopes to launch soon, Stricker said.