From Digital Penguins to Coffee Brands

Diverse Ventures in the Pudgy Ecosystem

On Saturday, Vice President of the Swiss NFT Association, Victor Koetter, kicked off a panel discussion about «penguins» on a sunny Zürich afternoon, the last day of the Swiss Web3 Fest. Victor described the Pudgy Penguins as adorable Arctic penguins that have made a significant mark in the NFT space. He introduced Sylvain Horwood, also known as Captain PURU, and expressed his respect for the NFT community built around the Pudgy Penguins.

Victor recounted the intriguing story of the Pudgy Penguins NFT project. Launched in 2021, it initially sold out in just 20 minutes. However, challenges arose when the treasury wallet was emptied. The project was then revitalized by Luca Netz, who acquired the entire intellectual property rights (IP). Luca’s entrepreneurial spirit breathed new life into the project, turning it into a thriving business.

Captain PURU then shared his journey. As the CEO and founder of PURU Suisse, a natural personal care brand, he discussed how he merged his passion for NFTs with his brand. By sponsoring a professional offshore sailing race, he leveraged the NFT community for organic growth. The Pudgy Penguins, especially the inflatable Captain PURU, garnered significant attention during the sailing event, eventually becoming an integral part of his brand.

Victor highlighted the versatility of the NFT space, emphasizing its potential beyond just fintech or crypto. He then introduced Burnasso, who was making his first public appearance.

Burnasso is known for sharing motivating and inspiring quotes on Twitter, aiming to spread positivity in the online community. He also integrates his personal photography with his NFT passion. The main picture of this article is one of his art works which you can also find as an NFT on OpenSea.

Decentralized Empowerment

Lastly, Fifi, the head of Pudgy Penguins Europe, shared his background in finance and international business. He emphasized the decentralized empowerment that NFT projects like Pudgy Penguins offer, allowing holders in different countries to actively participate and benefit. Fifi also invited attendees to visit their booth and participate in activities, which I did winning a plushy with a «forever friend adoption certificate», who will «stay by my side through thick and thin».

From NFTs to Plush Toys

Victor initiated the next part of the discussion by delving into the physical manifestation of the Pudgy Penguins NFTs, specifically toys and plushies. He emphasized the evolution of the Pudgy ecosystem from mere NFTs to tangible items. Burnasso elaborated on this, explaining how the toys serve as a bridge between the traditional Web2 and the decentralized Web3 world. Each toy comes with a QR code that, when scanned, offers a unique NFT experience without the need for a traditional crypto wallet. Furthermore, if an individual’s specific Pudgy Penguin design is used for merchandise, they receive a percentage of the sales, a feature that is expected to be more streamlined with the upcoming «project overpass.»

Captain PURU shared his experience with the Pudgy world, highlighting the potential value of the digital collectibles one can acquire. He speculated on the future of the Pudgy world, drawing parallels with the once-popular Club Penguin game and the potential for a metaverse or digital game space.

Victor then pointed out the unique aspect of the Pudgy ecosystem: individual holders can use the IP (Intellectual Property Rights) for their projects, benefiting the entire community. Fifi expanded on this, discussing the empowerment of community members and the importance of a centralized structure in decentralized communities. He emphasized the timeless appeal of the Pudgy Penguins and how it can inspire entrepreneurs. Fifi also touched upon the integration of tools and programs that allow NFT holders to animate and use their NFTs, highlighting the collaborative and innovative nature of the Web3 space.

Memes and GIFs in Brand Building

In the next part of the panel discussion, Victor shifted the focus towards the role of memes and GIFs in brand building, particularly in the context of the Pudgy Penguins. He questioned the panelists about the significance of these elements in the NFT space and their impact on community engagement.

Fifi highlighted the vast reach of Pudgy Penguins GIFs, noting that they have garnered billions of views. This ubiquity means that almost everyone online has likely encountered a Pudgy Penguin GIF at some point. Fifi emphasized the brand’s strategy of using relatable, real-life scenarios to bring the character to life, which has been instrumental in its widespread recognition. Burnasso echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the universal appeal of memes as a language everyone can relate to. He shared a personal anecdote about a friend who unknowingly sent him a Pudgy Penguin GIF, illustrating the widespread reach and recognition of the brand. He also gave a shoutout to Punk 6529, who’s really a big name and brand on Twitter or X. He showed the whole space what it means to spread the best memes.

Captain PURU discussed the strategic approach of the Pudgy Penguins› Instagram account, which focuses on engaging content that elicits emotional reactions without explicitly mentioning NFTs or Web3. He shared his personal experience with the brand, noting the emotional attachment people, especially children, have towards the cute penguin character. Captain PURU also mentioned his recent venture, a children’s storybook featuring Captain Puru, which serves as a testament to the brand’s versatility and appeal.

Victor then inquired about Fifi’s use of the Pudgy Penguin IP for his coffee project. Fifi explained that he has primarily used the penguin as a mascot to convey his brand’s message in a more engaging manner. He emphasized the penguin’s ability to resonate with audiences and make complex messages more digestible. While he is still exploring ways to further integrate the penguin into his brand, Fifi expressed his admiration for Captain PURU’s innovative approach and shared his aspirations for potential Web3 projects centered around the penguin in the future.

In conclusion, the panelists highlighted the power of memes, GIFs, and engaging content in brand building and community engagement. The Pudgy Penguins› widespread recognition and emotional appeal underscore the potential of NFTs to transcend the digital realm and make a tangible impact in various industries.

In the final segment of the panel discussion, Victor continued to explore the various ways in which the panelists are leveraging the Pudgy Penguins IP. Burnasso shared his plans to release a book filled with positive vibes and inspiring content, while Fifi discussed the potential of using the penguin mascot to promote his coffee brand further.

The discussion then shifted to the audience’s questions. One audience member inquired about the uniqueness of the Pudgy Penguins in comparison to other NFT projects. Fifi emphasized the universal appeal of penguins and how the Pudgy Penguins, in particular, have managed to resonate with a wide demographic due to their cute and relatable design.

Another audience member brought up the potential of developing individual personalities for each penguin, possibly using AI chatbots. Fifi expressed interest in such a tool, noting that it could animate the penguins and give them distinct personalities. Captain PURU further elaborated on the idea, suggesting that the future of NFTs might move towards character-building and monetization, where individual NFT holders could potentially earn from the popularity and use of their specific characters.

In conclusion, Victor thanked the panelists for their insights. The discussion provided a comprehensive overview of the Pudgy Penguins ecosystem, highlighting the innovative ways in which NFTs are being utilized and the potential for future developments in the space.

Swiss Web3 Fest

The NFT Lakeside unConference was part of the Swiss Web3 Fest which was trying to showcase the collaboration and bridge between Crypto Valley Switzerland and Crypto Oasis Dubai, bringing together partners and friends from both regions to create stronger ties and collaboration opportunities. The initiative was born after the successful ecosystem nights by Crypto Oasis in Dubai, and looks to replicate the high end and exclusive gathering while providing a unique experience over 5 days. From music to lifestyle and highly curated roundtables, the festival hosted various Web3 events and topics.

• Sep 12 — NFT Art Zug
• Sep 13 — Gaming & Metaverse @ICP.Lab (Zurich)
• Sep 13 — Evening Special: Amy Winehouse Immersive Experience (Zurich)
• Sep 14 — The Green Block Launch (Zurich)
• Sep 15 — Crypto Valley Deep Dive (Zug)
• Sep 15 — Web3 Venture Capital Brunch (Zug)
• Sep 15 — Protocol Roundtable (Zug)
• Sep 16-17 — NFT Lakeside Unconference 2023 (Zurich)

Credits

• Main picture by Burnasso captured at Blausee (literally: Blue Lake) in Bernese Oberland, Kandergrund, Switzerland
• Related post: Metamask Snaps
• This article was written using artificial 🤖 and human intelligence