How Banner Ads Made Genetic Modification Fun.
Okay, not really genetic modification.
The other day we came across this supersized contact lens ad on MySpace. The banner lets users swap the eye colours of the featured model, and even change the model herself. Choose from ethnically unambiguous options like Gabriela (at left), Jada and Kate.
You can also upload a picture of yourself, the better to gauge how to improve on nature with pupil shades in Sterling Gray, Brilliant Blue and Gemstone Green.
We were all, "Ooh! Engagement features!" -- a trite enough inclusion, but certainly worth a few minutes' distraction. Hopefully one day we'll be able to customize our children this way.
Comments
I think it is great to see increasingly interesting advertising based user experiences, capturing leads without taking the user from the site.
I sort of appreciate this kind of basic interactivity, but at what point in the evolution of internet advertising will brands start to figure out that a differentiated and compelling message is a better way to sell than mindless gimicky quasi-entertainment? I guess we're all trying to figure that one out, but in the meantime let's celebrate being able to actually interact with a banner ad. Joy, previously my life had been so empty.