What is Advergaming? Benefits and Examples

 

In today’s digital world, where there’s a constant flood of information, businesses are always looking for new and exciting ways to stand out. That’s where advergaming comes into play. It’s all about using games to make your brand stronger.

If you’re searching for creative ways to boost your marketing, you’re in the right place. This article will explain what advergaming is, show you its advantages, and give you real examples to see how it can make your brand more noticeable in the market. Get ready to explore a fresh and effective way to make your brand stick in people’s minds. Let’s dive in and discover the power of advergaming!

 

What is Advergaming and how does it work?

 

Advergaming is a marketing strategy that combines advertising with gaming to promote a brand or product. It works by creating interactive games or experiences that incorporate elements of the brand, product, or message that a company wants to convey to its audience. Here’s how it works:

 

1. Game Development: First, a game or interactive experience is designed and developed. This can be a mobile app, a web-based game, a virtual reality experience, or even a simple online quiz.

 

2. Brand Integration: Within the game, elements of the brand or product are seamlessly integrated. This can include branded characters, logos, products, or messaging that players encounter as they engage with the game.

 

3. User Engagement: Players are drawn to the game because of its entertainment value. Advergames are designed to be enjoyable and engaging, encouraging players to spend time interacting with the brand.

 

4. Message Delivery: As players progress through the game, the brand’s message or product benefits are subtly or overtly communicated. This can be through in-game rewards, product placements, or interactive challenges related to the brand.

 

5. Call to Action: Advergames often include a call to action, encouraging players to take a specific action after playing, such as visiting the brand’s website, making a purchase, or sharing the game with friends.

 

6. Measurement and Analysis: Marketers track various metrics to measure the advergaming campaign’s success, including the number of game downloads, player engagement, click-through rates, and conversions.

 

 

Benefits of Advergaming for Brands

 

Advergaming offers brands an engaging way to connect with their audience by integrating their message into interactive games. It enhances brand awareness, targets specific demographics effectively, and encourages extended user engagement. Marketers can collect valuable data, and advergaming is cost-effective with global reach. It creates positive brand associations and enables storytelling, leaving a lasting and memorable impression on players.

 

Key Elements of Successful Advergaming

 

Successful advergames share several key elements that make them effective in achieving marketing goals. These elements include:

• Clear Objectives: A successful advergame has clear objectives that guide players toward desired actions or interactions with the brand.
• Incentives and Rewards: Rewarding players with in-game incentives, such as virtual currency or exclusive content, can motivate continued engagement.
• User-Friendly Design: Advergames should be easy to understand and navigate, catering to a wide range of players, including those with limited gaming experience.
• Social Sharing: Integration with social media platforms allows players to share their achievements and experiences, increasing the game’s viral potential.
• Mobile Compatibility: With the prevalence of mobile gaming, advergames should be compatible with smartphones and tablets for broader accessibility.
• Analytics and Tracking: Implementing tracking mechanisms enables marketers to gather data on player behavior, helping to refine the game and measure its success.
• Call to Action: Advergames should include a clear call to action, guiding players toward desired post-game activities, such as visiting a website or making a purchase.

 

Examples of Impactful Advergames

Chipotle Scarecrow

 

In 2013, Chipotle and Moonbot Studios collaborated to create an impactful marketing campaign called “Food with Integrity.” This campaign aimed to raise global awareness about the issues associated with processed food. As part of this initiative, they produced an animated film and a mobile game.

 

The animated film followed the journey of a scarecrow who worked to bring wholesome food back to people, aligning with the campaign’s message. The entire team’s dedication paid off significantly.

 

The film quickly gained traction, amassing 6.5 million views on YouTube in less than two weeks. Meanwhile, the mobile game became a sensation, ranking among the top 15 free iOS apps in the US app store. It garnered the interest of 250,000 users within just four days of its release.

 

The campaign received extensive media coverage, including mentions in renowned publications like the New York Times and Time Magazine. This widespread recognition contributed to the overall success of the project, effectively spreading the message of “Food with Integrity” to a broad audience.

 

Shrimp Attack – KFC

KFC Japan launched a gamified marketing campaign called “Shrimp Attack” to promote the addition of shrimp to its menu. The campaign included a video game where users could play to earn points and receive discount vouchers. The game involved protecting the KFC headquarters from attacking KFC shrimp sticks by swiping.

 

The campaign was successful, with over 800,000 players and 600 hours of playtime, leading KFC to halt the game mid-campaign due to high demand and product availability issues.

 

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If you want to learn more about artificial intelligence and marketing, we recommend you to read: Learn how you can create a marketing campaign using AI

 

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In summary

 

Advergaming represents a dynamic and innovative approach to marketing that continues to reshape the way brands connect with their audience. By embracing the power of play and interactivity, advergames create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. We hope this blog has inspired you to explore the exciting possibilities of advergaming and how it can drive engagement, enhance brand awareness, and deliver remarkable results. 

 

At Isource Marketing, we firmly believe that businesses should take the latest trends to make their marketing actions more effective and boost their processes. Please, feel free to contact us for advice or quotes on marketing solutions, and take the bold step to enhance your B2B/B2C strategies with us.