Most of the companies that did an advertising venture in Second Life were left with a bitter aftertaste after the wasted resources used in capturing the online gaming segment. Many companies pulled out of Second Life because the gamers were either hostile or just didn’t bother with them. The reason Second Life failed in marketing to consumers was that the online world was too big. Usually marketers go to another game for online prospects but they should avoid the mistake with SL and focus games that doesn’t give too much independence. Take for example, Online Dance Battle Audition. They just dance around in a stage and the camera is fixed (no wandering for you guys).
If advertisers cleverly hide their subtle promotions in games no one would complain. Better yet make the promotions blend in with the virtual environment and you will be turning gamers into customers. I have cleverly hidden 7 subtle promotions in this picture go try and find them all! Go comment and list all the subtle promotions I made in the picture.
It is usually best to bid during the release of a new online game when the price is cheap. Also try to get a long-term contract that promises low advertising prices. Doing advertising with very popular online games will cost a bundle but it will be worth it if advertisers have the budget.
Always choose an online game so the results can be measured. I’m not sure how online video game companies operate when it comes to dealing with advertisers so maybe drop an e-mail for an advertising proposition. Use “ctr” and “views” as an indicator on how well the advertising is doing. Be sure that the online game publishers you are dealing with will have a program that will let you measure those.
4 Comments
It would be nice to see how online advertising evolves, especially in the area of online games. I agree on virtual worlds needing to be spatially enclosed to get better bang for the ad dollar. I’ve written an earlier post on how credit card companies market to kids via branding using online gamine brands — once more, another way that these partnerships generate $$.
That’s a pretty smart move for credit card companies since kids will spend without remorse. But somehow I find it irresponsible for these companies since kids have no income to backup the purchase. My sociology teacher (which I respect) talked about how some credit card companies are already issuing credit cards for house cats and dogs. These owners are trying to cancel those credit cards but can’t so they are preparing for legal actions against the credit card companies.
There’s a McDonald logo on top of the basket ball ring, and a windows logo on the wall.
That’s all I could see
There’s a coca cola can on the left wall, a nikey sign on the blue shirt. Apple logo on the middle of the wall (is grayish). Right side of the wall is the window’s logo. The last two is the laptop and camera on the bottom left corner. That’s all 7 subtle promotions!