The future of digital marketing? Part 2

The future of digital advertising may finally not end up to be interactive commercials build into a handdryer after all. After the rise of ads in videogames, like the ones in Xbox Live, things can get much more virtual yet. According to Red Herring, corporations are now rushing to join the virtual world.

This week Cnet described how Reuters opened a commercial office in Second Life, a virtual, three-dimensional world where users create and dress up characters, buy property and interact with other players. It followed Adidas, Toyota, Sony BMG, Sun Microsystems and Starwood Hotels, who all have set up shop there. With almost a million users who spend about $ 13 million a year within the virtual world, something is happening indeed.

In fact, more is happening in Second Life than you may think! This week, IBM has created an island in this virtual world, where employees can meet and discuss innovation. Irving Wladawsky-Berger, vice president of technology strategy and innovation at IBM, explains it as follows (Source: The Register). "The idea is that participants – from IBM research and development departments around the world – can contribute whatever they feel is important to create a productive environment in which to conduct and manage "business"."

Message to Belgian advertisers: start today claiming your spot on Tatuu.com, the fantastic Belgian virtual world upstart!