Episode 44: Alternate Reality Games
Listen (24 min, 45 seconds)In this week's episode of The Digital Edge we look at the phenomenon of Alternate Reality Games (ARG). By blurring the boundaries between real world and online space, an ARG creates an immersive game experience that you need to experience to truly understand. Companies that have used an ARG to promote themselves online include McDonalds, Audi and movies such as the recent Batman movie. These ARG's have even successfully won awards at Cannes for innovative work.
We speak to Ken Eklund, writer of what has been dubbed the first serious ARG, World Without Oil. We also speak to Chris Walsh from agency McKinney to talk about the ARG done for Audi USA known as "The Heist". Jonathan Cherry, a local ARG developer talks about the work done for Woolworths and Marie Lamb from ARGN.com gives us an explanation of what an ARG really is.
In our 60-second pitch we speak to Jonathan Hall of Added-Value, a branding agency. Our Top Ten looks at the ten best quotes from South Park and as always we're joined by Kerry-Anne Gilowey from Cape Town Daily Photo in the news.
Guests:
Ken Eklund:
Ken is a Game Designer and Creative Director of Serious Alternate Reality Games
Chris Walsh:
Chris is a refugee from the “Left Coast” of the US. He was one of a handful of employees hand-picked by the Saturn clients to move with the Saturn business from Hal Riney to Goodby. He joined us from Goodby Silverstein Partners and he moved to the Triangle to pursue connection planning. Chris currently helps our Qwest Consumer, Qwest SMB, Qwest BMG, and Travelocity clients gain a fresh perspective on how to effectively connect with consumers. With that said, he has touched almost every client at McKinney, whether it be communication strategy, connection planning or media planning. He is a graduate of the University of Dayton.
Jonathan Cherry:
Jonathan Cherry is a marketing whizz, trendspotter, speaker and commentator. Cherry has an Economics degree from the University of Stellenbosch and a long, sparkling history as a marketer in the retail and financial services industries.
Marie Lamb:
Marie Lamb is an Associate Editor for ARGN.com, as well as a story developer and online community development and support professional with an emphasis on alternate reality gaming and cross media production.
Jonathan Hall:
Jonathan is the CEO of the French Added Value office.
Links:
World Without Oil:http://worldwithoutoil.org/
Ken Eckland: http://www.writerguy.com/
McKinney: http://mckinney.com/
Cherryflava: http://www.cherryflava.com/index.html
ARGn.com: http://www.argn.com/
Marie Lamb: http://www.linkedin.com/in/gupfee
Added-Value: http://www.added-value.com/
Cape Town Daily Photo: http://www.capetowndailyphoto.com/
Jarred Cinman: http://jarredcinman.com
Saul Kropman: http://saulk.co.za
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