Advertising Takes a New Form in Video Games

With an evolving population of online and video gamers—not the old fashioned, computer nerd or shy teenager, but now the interactive, ahead of the curve , social generation—marketing takes on a new medium. Target market: males, 18-34.

"For years, marketers have aligned themselves with sports to get to those males, he says. More recently they've moved into music and entertainment. These were things millions of young men could relate to; gaming now represents the same thing…The gamer demographic is especially attractive to marketers in the quick-service space because of gamers' on-the-go lifestyle, aversion to cooking at home, and affinity for cheap, fast eats. To that end, KFC has also established a presence inside the Guitar Hero universe. When players choose the game's Times Square background, KFC ads appear on the jumbotron screens; when the venue takes a fraternity house theme, there are KFC buckets on the pool table.” For the entire story visit.

http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/exclusives/1208/video_games.phtml?microsite=bytopic_marketing


And on another note…for those of you who missed the NY Times Today and are looking for a job in this economy…

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Position: island caretaker. Duties: lazing around the Great Barrier Reef for six months. Salary: $100,000.
It sounds too good to be true, but the position is real. Calling it the “best job in the world,” Australian tourism officials say they are seeking someone to spend six months relaxing on Hamilton Island, part of the country’s Whitsunday Islands, while promoting the destination on a blog….the employee will be required to stroll the island’s white sand beaches, snorkel, maybe take a dip in the pool — and post photographs and videos of the experience on a weekly blog.