FamousNiki
FamousNiki, real name Niki (Russian: Ники), is the first and only Russian cat that became an international celebrity on Instagram. FamousNiki became popular over the Internet for his humanlike behavior, facial expressions and passion to pose for photo and video.
Background
Victoria Virta purchased FamousNiki spontaneously. In a pet shop located in Moscow, there were two Scottish Fold kittens – a brother and a sister. Evgenia Shlegel, the wife of a Russian politician, Robert Shlegel, purchased the kitten and posted on her Twitter account that the owner is needed for the second one because he feels very lonely without his sister. After viewing the post, Victoria went to get the future Internet celebrity. On the first meeting with Victoria, FamousNiki licked her nose right away. This made Victoria fall in love with him and immediately took him home with her. Since then FamousNiki has been living with Victoria happily in Moscow.
Owner
Victoria Virta is popular Russian media personality and business coach, one of co-founders and co-owner of digital-studio Funaction, which owns rights for FamousNiki brand.
Popularity
FamousNiki became popular on the Internet for his habit to sit like a human being – on buttocks. His owner says, that FamousNiki got this ability from his early years, and this is not due to any disease, it’s just the way he feels more comfortable. Beside that FamousNiki sometimes stand on his hind legs and tries to imitate the human walk.
In two years FamousNiki got more than 127 000 followers on Instagram and more than 35 000 followers on Facebook. Also FamousNiki’s Russian admirers created a fan-community on social network VKontakte, which contains more than 1 000 members. One of FamousNiki’s photos is on “The 100 Most Important Cat Pictures of All Time Chart” according to BuzzFeed.
Media appearances
International media overview FamousNiki monthly, those media includes: Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Metro, Russia Today Spain, La Jalea, Klonblog, Entremujeres, Stufffeed and others. Several television appearances were made on Russian and foreign TV channels. Also Niki has been presented in Russian broadcast. In 2013 Niki in collaboration with painter from Hong Kong, who specializes in painting famous pets, helped to arrange charity for the victims of Boston marathon bombings.
Marketing
Niki distributes and sells merchandise under FamousNiki brand for his fans. FamousNiki often gets advertising contracts from Russian and international companies. FamousNiki mobile game for iOS and Android is currently on production. The biography book entitled “Story of a Cat” is on production as well.