Announced at this week’s Advertising Week 2010, Microsoft has lined up key advertisers for the upcoming November 4th launch of their new motion control system for Xbox 360.

As Microsoft hopes to usher in a new way of play, advertisers are already showing interest in how their ads can be interacted with. Taking advantage of Kinect’s unique response to body movements, Chevrolet, Sprint, and T-Mobile USA will launch respective ad campaigns across the Kinect console network, “Kinect Joy Ride,” “Kinect Adventures,” and “Kinect Sports.”
All ad campaigns are slated for a November 4th launch; let’s take a deeper look:
- Chevrolet. This was the first campaign that was announced for Kinect, back in June, and places auto maker Chevrolet in a prime position to allow customers the opportunity to test drive Chevrolet vehicles from the comfort of their own home. The title will open with users driving Chevy’s new Volt car, but users can unlock additional cars such as the Cruze, Camaro, and legendary Corvette by watching video advertisements either on Xbox LIVE or the Web. An additional campaign is slated for the first of the year where Chevrolet will feature the same vehicles in the Kinect Hub.
- Sprint. US telecom provider Sprint will launch “Kinect Adventures,” with a matching retail experience features on Xbox LIVE, as well as a “Kinect Adventures,” contest whereby players will have the opportunity to have their pictures features on Xbox LIVE. Those attending the NY Comic Con (October 8-10) will have a first crack at “Kinect Advetures,” as the campaign will be live at the Sprint booth suring the convention.
- T-Mobile. Focused on sports, T-Mobile enters the Kinect ring with fixed product placements throughout the motion based games including volleyball net logo placements, custom bowling balls, and foam fingers in the virtual stands. In addition to the product placement, T-Mobile is going the extra mile and sponsoring a contest whereby players can view video content and partake in the first launch weekend “Play and Win” contest with prizes including Family Gold memberships (a $99.99 retail value).
“With Kinect for Xbox 360, we are removing the last barrier to interactive television — the controller,” said Mark Kroese, general manager of the Interactive Entertainment Advertising Business Group at Microsoft. “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.”




