Pokémon GO gets millennials moving: 60% report increased activity

53% who play the game have fitness trackers

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WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 11, 2016 /CNW/ - Pokémon GO is making millennials more active with 60% who play the game reporting they have increased their level of physical activity, according to a recent poll commissioned by Manulife.  Of those who play the game, 53% have a fitness tracker/step counter and 69% reported an increase in the number of steps in a day.  Males made up 54% and females 46% of those who play in the 18 to 35 age group, and 80% of those who play said they spend 30 minutes or more a day playing the game. The poll also found that millennials who do not play Pokémon GO believe that using the app will increase the number of steps they take.

"Pokémon GO is showing us that millennials will become more active … even if physical activity was not their intention," said Marianne Harrison, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Canada. "The Pokémon GO phenomenon shows that rewards and prizes provide an incentive that gets millennials active and they have fun at the same time."

Manulife recently announced that with The Vitality Group (Vitality), it will introduce life insurance that rewards people for healthy living.  Customers who choose this innovative, new kind of insurance will have industry-leading financial protection, opportunities to save on their insurance premiums, and earn valuable rewards and discounts for taking steps to improve their health.  Manulife will also be offering members of the Manulife Vitality program a free Garmin vívofit 3 wearable activity device when they register for the Manulife Vitality program as part of select new life insurance policies.

"Through the success of John Hancock Vitality in the US and long-standing efforts in other parts of the world, we've found that when people purchase an integrated life insurance product and participate in the program, they are motivated to set goals and take steps to healthy living," said Alan Pollard, CEO, The Vitality Group.

Another side effect of Pokémon GO is 31% of players say they have used the app while driving or cycling, while 12% have experienced some type of injury while playing.

"Players do need to ensure they play the game responsibly," added Harrison.  "They are not only putting themselves at risk but others who may or may not be playing the game as well."

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Manulife from July 22 to July 28, 2016, among 811 adults ages 18 to 35. The data were weighted by region, age and gender where necessary to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the U.S. adult population.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions.  We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere.  We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions.  At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers.  At the end of June 2016, we had $934 billion (US$718 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $25.4 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers.  Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years.  With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong.  Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit www.manulife.com or www.johnhancock.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

Image with caption: "Pokémon GO gets millennials moving: 60% report increased activity (CNW Group/Manulife Financial Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160811_C7867_PHOTO_EN_751034.jpg

Graeme Harris, Manulife, Phone | 416-852-9476, E-Mail | [email protected], @manulifenews