What is Advertaining?

It has been said that the average American is bombarded with over 3000 advertisements a day, more than 125 each hour. More and more these messages are becoming less effective. Before Tivo, viewers had already learned to tune out commercials, ignore direct mail and block unwanted spam. Being allowed into the sanctuary of person has called for marketers to be more creative. Product placements in TV shows, movies, and even video games has blurred the distinction between entertainment and advertising. But what if that was taken one step further, what if the video game or the TV show was the ad.

This thinking isn’t revolutionary. Interactive games on the internet are produced for the sole purpose of marketing a product. Short movies are popping up online to brand well established fortune 500 companies. Being welcomed, and even sought after by consumers has transformed the marketing arena and has added a whole new aspect to the idea of permission marketing.

With the emergence of podcasting and downloadable movies, the next generation of advertising has transformed into one where consumers are seeking out to the companies who have spent millions to reach them. Creating a form of interaction where the viewer is thoroughly enjoying themselves, consumers will forget that they are being advertised to and focus on the entertainment value. The Consumer will no longer recognize the line between advertising and entertaining and seek out the Advertaining they enjoy.