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News Summary 030609
This week in digital news the focus has been all about Facebook’s online advertising power.Both Microsoft and the British Conservative Party have been utilising Facebook for their own promotional purposes. Microsoft kicked off the week at the annual E3 video games expo in Los Angeles revealing its new Project Natal along with an announcement that Xbox 360 users would be able to start accessing Facebook through their Xbox console this autumn.
The move is part of a larger integration of social networks that Microsoft is pushing to make Xbox the “definitive social network” in the words of senior vice president, John Schappert. Facebook’s platform marketing director, Ethan Beard told ITProPortal.com: “We expect to be working with all the consoles and platforms. It really is about making games more social. Gaming is incredibly popular on Facebook itself.”
Microsoft also announced it would be integrating Twitter into its Xbox console to allow users to tweet friends whilst playing Xbox 360 games. Later in the week, Tory leader David Cameron asked the Facebook population to donate their online status which could then be altered with political messages promoting the Conservative Party. The Tories have made a concerted effort to boost their online profile, and tapping into the Facebook multitudes to try and secure votes is a smart move.
Utilising social media is an increasingly important part of online advertising. The European Interactive Advertising Agency (EIAA) believes that emerging formats of digital media such as mobile advertising, social networks and online video advertising will be the dominant marketing forces in the future. Successful advertising on Facebook could be a crucial factor for good brand positioning a few years time.
Online Advertising news posted by Burt Ernstein on 03 June 2009
