Virtual Zippo Lighters for iPhones

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.

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 21st 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 Marketing & 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 http://www.moderati.com/zippo.html and at http://www.zippo.com.