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Gamers are Rock Stars Too

November 19, 2008 By: Sekou Murphy Category: Internet Advertising, Video Games

The New York Times wrote an interesting piece on how Dr. Pepper is using a professional gamer, Tom Taylor (aka, Tsquared) to promote it’s Dr. Pepper line.   DP also signed up his crew, Str8 Rippin.  

 

Honestly, I have to say it’s kinda cool.   While there’s the risk of being labeled a sellout or “gone corporate” if it’s the right brand (i.e, one with street credibility), it just puts the person/group on another level.  

 

For example, NO ONE would think twice of Red Bull sponsoring James “Bubba” Stewart, mega motocross racer.  

 

But I think it’s cool for gamers to come to the forefront.  Video games are massive business.  EA alone has revenue of $3.7 billion (with a “B”).   Activision, the next biggest, is not too far behind with about $2.8 billion thanks to a few blockbuster games and acqusitions (both numbers are from fiscal 2008…2009 revs s/b  be much higher)…by the way, I mentioned on TechMediums.com that video games tend to be much better positioned to work through recessions than many other companies.