Virtual Gifts can mean big business?

[charmian]

http://www.adnectar.com/press/release/adnectar-launches-branded-virtual-goods-on-twitter-and-livejournal/ Hmm, this perhaps explains those ugly vampire-themed gifts. According to this press release, LJ and Twitter are teaming with a company called AdNectar to sell "branded virtual gifts." (Their catchphrase seems to be: "turn consumers into brand advocates through the simple act of giving.")

The concept behind their business seems to be, according to Businessweek: "virtual goods are essentially social artifacts that people use to gain status among online peers. That makes them a better fit than traditional advertising on socially oriented sites."

So I am guessing, as a partner, LJ receives a cut of whatever the brands who advertise with AdNectar fork over? (Not sure how these things work...)

Comments

[petronia]

I've never been sure what communities on LJ commonly use virtual gifts, though, no one in Fandom I know does it (it's all about paid icon space in these here parts XD;). The Russians?

[charmian]

Well, Chrissie bought one for SubD, so that's one person you know. (I don't seem to know anyone else, but on the other hand, how would I know? I don't look much at userinfo pages) However, this company seems to be focused on English-speaking markets, so there must be people on LJ who buy them who speak English. (After all, these seem to be popular on FB as well)

Interestingly LJ also seems to be using existing communities which are already related to the products to promote them, as well. IIRC they didn't announce this campaign in news.

[azurelunatic]

They sure didn't.

[charmian]

Seems they post about it in this comm (although it was actually announced in comms like this one

[charmian]

Really? But you can't give people paid icon space if they don't have a paid account already, right?

[petronia]

First paid LJ time, then paid icon space. XD

[petronia]

Actually I'm not sure you can't... but I tend to think you're more an expert on LJ than I am.

[azurelunatic]

You can't until they come out with the a la carte userpics, which has been getting developer attention, but has reached about the notoriety of Duke Nukem Forever in news comments and popular opinion.

[charmian]

Oh? Why don't they just say it's being worked on? I wonder how that will turn out for them (LJ) financially, though.

[azurelunatic]

I think the 'no updates on a la carte userpic status' has turned into a pitched battle of wills.

[charmian]

Eh, seriously? That's sorta ridiculous. They've said they're working on other things, so why not just say something like "it is being worked on, but it'll be a long time before it ever gets done" etc.

[azurelunatic]

I can't imagine the inside of the minds of the higher-ups.

I personally know one or two of the people who work on news posts, but they both need approval of everything in them, so. >_<