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Interactive Commercial Utilizes Tivo Features

scrow writes "Marketing officers at Kentucky Fried Chicken's Yum! Brands Inc. have developed a commercial containing a hidden message for the viewers to find using their DVR systems. The aim is to combat the use of DVR devices, like Tivo, to skip advertising by introducing interactivity."

5 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. interactivity? by lonasindi · · Score: 5, Interesting

    if I want interactive, I use the computer.
    On the rare occasion I watch TV, I don't want to like, interact with the commercials. that's stupid.

  2. Oblig Profit! by rob_squared · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Excellent idea

    1. Make ads for TV
    2. Slowly make them more annoying
    3. Discover that people are avoiding your ads like the plague
    4. Try to subvert to force said people to watch your ads
    5. ???
    6. Profit!

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    I don't get it.
    1. Re:Oblig Profit! by Vellmont · · Score: 3, Interesting


      5. ???

      People buy the product? Not everything is a dot com business model you know. I think the plan is pretty smart. It got some free advertising on Slashdot. Maybe other companies will start hiding things (like details for entering a sweepstakes) in commercials.

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      AccountKiller
  3. Re:A few things by eln · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The people who don't have DVRs will just be forced to watch the commercial just like they always have. Sure, they won't get the promotion, but they'll still see a (hopefully effective) commercial. It's not like KFC is just going to show 30 seconds of a blank screen with one or two frames relevant to DVR owners.

    This is designed to entice people who ordinarily skip over commercials to actually watch them. TV commercials are all about creating brand awareness. If you don't have a DVR, you become aware of the brand by being forced to sit through their commercials. If you do have a DVR, presumably you need some sort of extra incentive (like a chance at a free sandwich) to watch the commercial.

  4. Not watching adverts? That is stealing by wetelectric · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Well eventually, especially for you guys in the USA, it will be illegal to watch a program then leave the room / change the channel (circumvent) during the adverts. I mean, not watching the adverts of the program you just watched? That is stealing!

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    Most people have no idea what they are doing, and are silently panicking on the inside.