14 DAY TRIAL // Today, at Advertising Week 2010, Microsoft Advertising announced that three big companies will join Kinect for Xbox 360 - Chevrolet, Sprint and T-Mobile.
The Kinect controller-free console will host ad campaigns from the three companies through “Kinect Sports,” “Kinect Adventures” and “Kinect Joy Ride” game titles.
These ad campaigns will start with the North America Launch of Kinect, on November 4.
The Chevrolet ad, will actually be a multiscreen advertisement that will allow Kinect users to test-drive Chevrolet cars in “Kinect Joy Ride”, the first controller-free car racing game, created by Microsoft Game Studios.
As soon as the Kinect for Xbox 360 is launched, customers will have the chance to test-drive Chevrolet Volt at a whole new level.
After the video ad view in-dash on the Xbox LIVE or on the Web, consumers will have the possibility to unlock and download Chevrolet Cruze, Camaro and Corvette cars to drive in the game.
Sprint has been advertising for a while now on the Xbox LIVE, and this fall it is sponsoring the launch of “Kinect Adventures” with a co-branded retail experience on Xbox LIVE and a contest in which “Kinect Adventures” players will have the chance to get their pictures featured on Xbox LIVE.
Consumers attending New York Comic Con will be able to play “Kinect Adventures” at the Sprint booth.
T-Mobile is one of the Xbox advertising pioneers and, besides using product placement throughout the games, like volleyball net signage, custom bowling balls and foam fingers held by the arena audience, it will now sponsor the Xbox 360 console.
All Xbox members can visit a website on the dashboard and get access to exclusive video content as well as take part at the first launch weekend Play & Win contest with prizes, including Family Gold memberships.
During the holidays T-Mobile will support “Kinect Sports” Play & Win programs with two Xbox Family Game Nights, in November and January.
Mark Kroese, general manager of the Interactive Entertainment Advertising Business Group at Microsoft, said that “with Kinect for Xbox 360, we are removing the last barrier to interactive television — the controller.
“We have seen tremendous momentum from the advertising community, including big campaigns from Chevrolet, Sprint and T-Mobile.
“These visionary marketers are leading the entertainment revolution with ground-breaking campaigns that are highly engaging.”