[Case Study] “Nippon Shiro Meguri”—a Location-Based Stamp Rally App for Touring Over 3,000 Castles Across Japan—Successfully Drives Ad Revenue Growth via “SKYFLAG” After Having Suffered Drop in Event Revenue Due to the Pandemic!
By Re-evaluating User Flows and Increasing the Number of Active “SKYFLAG” Users, the Team Successfully Boosted Ad Revenue
Skyfall Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tomokazu Hasegawa; hereinafter “Skyfall”) is pleased to announce that its ad monetization platform “SKYFLAG” has been implemented by “Nippon Shiro Meguri,” an app operated by UM Succeed Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shoji Sakamoto; hereinafter “UM Succeed”), and the corresponding results have been published.
・Read the full implementation interview for “Nippon Shiro Meguri” here: https://skyflag.info/case-post/case-6/
Launched in April 2010, “Nippon Shiro Meguri” is a smartphone location-based stamp rally app. It features a GPS-enabled stamp rally allowing users to tour more than 3,000 castles across Japan, collect Sengoku period samurai commander characters from various prefectures, and build their own custom castles.
Since the app’s release, the company had pursued monetization through advertisement models including banner ads, reward ads, rewarded video ads, in-store product monitoring, and surveys, alongside hosting regional events in collaboration with local governments. Facing a decline in event revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, they implemented “SKYFLAG” in January 2021 with the goal of improving ad revenue.
Objectives of Implementing “SKYFLAG”
・To offset the event revenue decline brought on by the pandemic and maximize overall app revenue by introducing “SKYFLAG.”
・To maximize ad revenue through the utilization of “SKYFLAG.”
Challenges Before the Implementation of “SKYFLAG”
・Decline in event revenue due to the pandemic.
・Affinity between the user base and ad monetization (SKYFLAG).
Outcomes After Implementing “SKYFLAG”
By introducing newly optimized navigation paths within the app to help users transition smoothly to “SKYFLAG,” the user inflow volume expanded compared to when the platform was first introduced, driving up monthly revenue from “SKYFLAG” by approximately twofold. This successfully raised the baseline for overall ad revenue within the app.
Furthermore, regarding initial concerns about user affinity with “SKYFLAG,” a vast number of users actively engaged with the platform. By grasping the characteristics of ads (offers) that shared a high affinity with the user demographic, the team was able to list highly satisfying and profitable ads (offers), achieving high monetization.
Effects Experienced After Implementation
・App revenue expanded by securing ad income through “SKYFLAG” on top of existing ad monetization streams.
・Following the introduction of “SKYFLAG,” the team added strategic navigation paths to smoothly guide users to the platform and actively utilized it, resulting in a twofold increase in “SKYFLAG” revenue compared to the initial launch phase.
We interviewed the team regarding their creative approaches to making users want to interact with “SKYFLAG” ads (offers) and the secrets behind how they successfully maximized SKYFLAG’s profitability.
Please read the full interview for details.
・Read the full implementation interview for “Nippon Shiro Meguri” here: https://skyflag.info/case-post/case-6/ ・Request information regarding “SKYFLAG”: https://skyflag.info/document/ |
Consulting Support After Implementing “SKYFLAG”
(Left: A scene from a regular meeting, Right: A scene from data analysis)
At “SKYFLAG,” dedicated account managers provide ongoing monetization support for companies even after implementation. We deliver end-to-end support by analyzing everything from internal revenue trends to user behavior, reporting these insights during regular meetings, and proposing upcoming initiatives.
Data Analysis Regarding “SKYFLAG” Products and Users
(Left: A scene from data analysis, Right: Visual representation of the verification screen)
At “SKYFLAG,” we continuously develop and expand new features by conducting data-driven verification, analysis, and development aimed at maximizing monetization for partner companies. We also regularly update the product to build an environment where users can seamlessly engage with offers (advertisements).
About “Nippon Shiro Meguri”
“Nippon Shiro Meguri” is a location-based stamp rally app that uses GPS coordinates to allow users to tour 3,000 real-world castles across Japan—primarily from the Sengoku period—including the 100 Fine Castles of Japan and the Continued 100 Fine Castles of Japan.
The service offers an engaging experience designed for everyone, ranging from castle enthusiasts, history enjoyers, and Sengoku period fans to complete beginners.
About “UM Succeed Co., Ltd.”
| Company Name | :UM Succeed Co., Ltd. |
| CEO | :Shoji Sakamoto |
| Address | :5th Floor, Verte Yoyogi II, 2-21-11 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053 |
| Website | :https://umscd.jp// |
About “SKYFLAG”
“SKYFLAG” is a reward marketing platform that prioritizes user experience.
It has established a unique model leveraging rewards and provides comprehensive marketing support across monetization, promotion, and research.
・Service Site: https://skyflag.info/
About “Skyfall”
Skyfall operates under the banner of “Creating a world where good things spread,” running “SKYFLAG,” an advertising monetization platform that aligns with the user experience, and “SKYFLAG Research,” a marketing research service that pursues representativeness.
Furthermore, the company operates “Poker Chase,” an authentic Texas Hold’em poker game, and “Pocket Play,” an app where users can earn rewards simply by playing their favorite games.
| Company Name | :Skyfall Inc. |
| CEO | :Tomokazu Hasegawa |
| Address | :(Tokyo Head Office) 19F Midtown Tower, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo :(Niigata Office) Nippon Life Insurance Niigata Building 7F, 2-4-10 Higashiodori, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata |
| Business Description | :Marketing Platform Business and App Media Business |
| Number of employees | :184 (As of the end of October 2024) |
| Established | :October 2017 |
| Capital | :79,393,750 yen |
| Website | :https://skyfall.co.jp/ |
