--- title: "Tuesday Buzz: All Pokémon Go, All the Time" id: "34085" type: "post" slug: "tuesday-buzz-all-pokemon-go-all-the-time" published_at: "2016-07-12T19:42:06+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T16:57:45+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/07/12/tuesday-buzz-all-pokemon-go-all-the-time/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/07/12/tuesday-buzz-all-pokemon-go-all-the-time.md" excerpt: "AAA warns the public that you shouldn't play Pokémon Go and drive. Also: How some nonprofits are using Pokémon Go to their marketing advantage." taxonomy_category: - "Marketing / Communications" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "neurogaming" - "public awareness" - "Safety" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Tuesday Buzz: All Pokémon Go, All the Time [Pokémon Go is all the rage (opens in a new tab)](http://www.vox.com/2016/7/11/12129162/pokemon-go-android-ios-game) , but it could be dangerous in the wrong hands or the wrong circumstances. That’s according to AAA, [which, on Tuesday, warned the public (opens in a new tab)](https://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/Query.aspx?SiteName=AAACS&Entity=PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=108262&XSL=PressRelease&Cache=True) not to play the mobile version of the hugely popular Nintendo franchise while driving. To put it simply: As fun as the game is, it’s not worth the risk. “Trying to catch a Pokémon while behind the wheel is a major distraction and increases your risk of causing a crash,” the auto club’s spokesman, Josh Carrasco, said in a news release. “Put your phone down while driving. Just one quick text or glance to see the next Pokéstop could end up costing you or someone else their life.” The association used its news release to speak up about the dangers of using a cellphone for any purpose while driving, highlighting statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that indicate distracted driving is responsible for one-tenth of all driving-related deaths. The success of the game, which [has reportedly topped mainline apps (opens in a new tab)](http://www.businessinsider.com/pokmon-gobigger-than-tinder-overtake-twitter-similarweb-data-stock-price-nintendo-niantic-2016-7?r=UK&IR=T) like Tinder and could soon overtake Twitter, was extremely quick. The game has been available to U.S. customers for less than a week, and it’s [helped Nintendo’s stock value soar to new heights (opens in a new tab)](http://www.wsj.com/articles/pokemon-chasing-investors-send-nintendo-shares-soaring-1468228206) . That’s great and all, but don’t play while you’re driving. ### Get in on the Craze > Skip [#PrimeDay (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrimeDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > and get out there and [#PokemonGO (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PokemonGO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > for a cause! Challenge details [https://t.co/nTn9Z0SFzW (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/nTn9Z0SFzW) > [#charitymiles (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/charitymiles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/Atz3P0KNRg (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/Atz3P0KNRg) > > — Charity Miles (@CharityMiles) [July 12, 2016 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/CharityMiles/status/752865584656879617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Of course, some will look at Pokémon Go** and see an opportunity to highlight the efforts of a nonprofit, an opportunity to get people to visit a church or business, or an opportunity to get people talking and moving around. At *Kivi’s Nonprofit Communications Blog*, [Kristina Leroux highlights a few nonprofits (opens in a new tab)](http://www.nonprofitmarketingguide.com/blog/2016/07/12/use-the-power-of-pokemon-go-for-good-and-have-some-fun/) that have already experimented with this kind of use. In particular, Leroux highlights the efforts of Charity Miles, which [has launched a Pokémon Go Challenge (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.charitymiles.org/post/147254758409/charity-miles-pok%C3%A9mon-go-challenge) to encourage people to use its own app, [which donates to charity (opens in a new tab)](http://charitymiles.org/) based on how much people move around. Clever, huh? ### Other Links of Note **Good read of the day.** At *The Guardian*, [Katharine Viner makes the case (opens in a new tab)](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/jul/12/how-technology-disrupted-the-truth) that the truth has been greatly distorted by the rise of social media. **Volunteering isn’t just good for the soul;** it also helps boost relevant career skills that you need. [VolunteerMatch Marketing Advocate Basil Sadiq explains (opens in a new tab)](http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2016/07/11/how-volunteering-can-build-new-skills/) . **The freemium model can quickly go wrong.** According to *CMS Wire* contributor Tom Petrocelli, [Evernote is a good example of why (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/evernote-falls-prey-to-the-freemium-model-catch-22/) . (Nintendo) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#neurogaming](https://associationsnow.com/tag/neurogaming/) [#public awareness](https://associationsnow.com/tag/public-awareness/) [#Safety](https://associationsnow.com/tag/safety/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [ArticleInside an Association’s PSA ContestJanuary 28, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/01/28/inside-an-associations-psa-contest/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: More Than Marketing: The Power of Strategic CommunicationsJuly 30, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/30/associations-now-presents-more-than-marketing-the-power-of-strategic-communications/) - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Why Slower Marketing Can Drive Stronger Member Engagement (Episode 27)June 25, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/06/25/associations-now-presents-why-slower-marketing-can-drive-stronger-member-engagement-episode-27/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F07%2F12%2Ftuesday-buzz-all-pokemon-go-all-the-time%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !