Finally, product placements in products are starting to gain some traction. How viable and effective they are remains an open question, but exploration is always a good thing.

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Online Gaming Lures Major Marketers

VentureReporter.net Tuesday, May 28, 2002, 11:12 AM ET

Online games are attracting the attention of major marketers as a new kind of mainstream advertising venue, with companies such as Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep moving into the market because that is where their customers and prospects are, reports AdAge.com.

On the other side of the table, game vendors have also become increasingly aggressive in soliciting marketers for paid product placements. For instance, software publishers such as Activision and Electronic Arts are growing more open to the concept of paid product placements in video games, leading ad agencies to begin exploring options on behalf of marketers.

Besides product placements, “advergames”–games specifically designed as part of an advertiser’s online media campaign — are also getting serious attention from marketers.

More on online gaming

AdAge.com reports on the new opportunities for marketers.