We help you get
closer to your customers.

Paying something for nothing

An interesting post came across Techcrunch a few days ago, profiling a number of websites that sell virtual goods for real cash. A trend that really gained its first foothold in Asia, it has now continued its growth worldwide. Most of these virtual goods either fall into the category of an accessory you might buy for your virtual self online, or a virtual gift you might buy for someone else.

To the person who doesn’t spend much time online, paying cash for pixels might seem slightly insane. But that viewpoint is shifting, particularly for younger generations. If you live much of your life online, doesn’t it make just as much sense to buy a fashion accessory there as it would in the real world?

The implications for online marketing and branding are interesting. Online offers in the future (and depending on your audience) could be for virtual goods, or for virtual currency, or for a combination of virtual and real goods. Online brands offer new opportunities . . . who might rise as the online version of Armani or Gucci?