The Kraken Hunter — A Mobile-First, Real-Time Bus Tracking Campaign

Client: CowPR (UK)
Platform: Web (Mobile-first)
Tech Stack: Google Maps API, TFL Open API, Isivuno Data Platform

When CowPR approached us to build an engaging digital experience for The Kraken Rum, we dove into the depths of creative technology to deliver something bold, fast, and effective.

The Kraken Hunter was a competition microsite designed to help fans track and capture sightings of specially painted Kraken-themed buses as they moved across London. By snapping a photo of a bus and submitting it through the site, users stood a chance to win exclusive prizes.

At the core of the experience was real-time location data pulled from the TFL Open API, refreshing every 30 seconds. We visualized the movement of these "Kraken buses" using Google Maps, styled in a moody dark theme to match the brand's visual identity. The map would automatically zoom to include all active buses but allowed full user interaction for manual exploration.

To keep the experience as immersive and accessible as possible, the site was built mobile-first, allowing users to track and interact with the campaign while on the go. A simple, responsive layout ensured compatibility across a wide range of devices without compromising speed or usability.

We also tapped into our in-house data platform, Isivuno, to streamline and monitor the integration, helping us move fast on what was a rapid-turnaround brief.

While the concept was simple, the execution was clean, branded, and highly effective—an excellent example of how creative tech can transform a simple campaign mechanic into an engaging digital experience.