/24-7PressRelease/ - CAMPBELL, CA, October 05, 2007 - Design Reactor and AMD today launched the AMD Virtual Experience 2.0 (http://ave.amd.com), marking a shift from virtual events as marketing awareness tools to lead generation vehicles that prove solid success metrics and RODI (Return on Digital Investment). Due to the overwhelming response from the first event, AMD decided to host a second improved version with a larger roster of partners and exciting new features such as high-end graphics, lead generation tools, a more intuitive user interface and the latest in Web 2.0 technologies.
"It's all about relevance. In a virtual world, where you have over 300 downloads and over 600 videos, it's got to be about relevance. Otherwise it's just too much information for too many people," said Leon Papkoff, CEO of Design Reactor. "The future of virtual experiences is really about features like lead generation, webinar and session tracks, toolbar functionality, where relevant content is brought to you based upon how you register, and our AV Cue search technology that allows you to find content inside video and audio."
While competitors such as Second Life get lots of attention from the corporate clientele, these types of virtual events have been unable to truly prove their worth beyond marketing awareness. The first virtual experience produced impressive metrics and was the highest ROI producing event for AMD last year, with over one million unique visitors and 600,000 downloads of materials in the first eight weeks proving the viability and reach of the virtual event platform. And session time for the AMD Virtual Experience (AVE) was much higher than other virtual tradeshow experiences, lasting about 10-11 minutes for the first version.
"We had some very specific metrics that we wanted to achieve in the marketplace with the first version of the virtual experience," said Bruce Shaw, Director of Server/Workstation Marketing for AMD. "I am happy to say that for every metric that we looked at, we absolutely blew it away. AVE 2.0 provides us with the best vehicle possible to engage customers with content that communicates the story in a understandable, accessible way, better than any other marketing vehicle that we have."
After studying user behavior and metrics from the first version, the natural progression was to take the event to a new level by building in lead generating tools that advance visitors further down the sales pipeline to provide a better success metric. The second version of this virtual tradeshow introduces first-ever interactive features and promises to build a sense of community in true Web 2.0 fashion. The site offers the following new upgrades:
• Redesigned user interface with an intuitive new video player
• The ability to click on points of interests about specific products and solutions during a video and to have partner representatives follow up on that topic
• Virtual badge with easy access features
• Unique virtual event bag making content digestible and accessible
• Redesign: new 3-D graphics that provide a realistic experience mimicking a sense of space on the tradeshow floor and a holistic brand experience.
• Webinar booth where partners can talk about new technologies with a live webinar host
• Toolbar Software: Seamless user experience with live community chat, event search tool that includes search of videos and downloads, and customized content and recommendations based on preferences
The framework for the AMD Virtual Experience is based around Design Reactor's proprietary Virtual Experience engine that the company has also recently built for other tech clients such as HP. Companies like AMD find value in the virtual tradeshow format because they can enjoy the benefits of a physical tradeshow without the travel and expense, all while providing information to a broader audience in a more accessible format. AVE 2.0 incorporates all the elements of a traditional physical event: vendor booths featuring the latest products, interactive demonstrations, keynote speeches from industry executives, information kiosks, news announcements, badges, and live chat with technology professionals and peers. According to a study Design Reactor conducted with an outside marketing research firm, the average cost per lead for a physical tradeshow is about $3,000, but under the virtual umbrella, companies can reach their audience at about six dollars.
"We truly feel that this platform is taking virtual events to the next level and we are already talking with a number of different companies about utilizing this technology for their marketing needs," said Papkoff. "We also plan to expand the virtual experience engine to include other features like virtual business cards, more customization, more personalization, and user-generated content...all in the comfort of your own personal workspace."
Based on the success from last year's event, AMD signed on nine new partners, a number of which who were willing to fund their own booths. The 15 partners for this year's event include tech companies like Dell, VMWare, Microsoft, Sun and Novell. The benefit for exhibitors at the virtual event is a cost-effective supplement to their existing marketing efforts that allows them to reach the busy IT leaders with higher quality lead generation and simplified information tracking to measure ROI and generate sales. The online venue provides the unique opportunity to monitor impressions and click-thrus providing vital information on how visitors interact with the content to accurately gauge the success of the program.
To see the new AMD Virtual IT Experience, please visit: http://ave.amd.com. Design Reactor has a video featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the AMD Virtual IT Experience and high-resolution screenshots that are available to the press upon request.
About Design Reactor
Design Reactor is a leading digital communications agency with a 10 year legacy of combining strategic, creative and technology innovation and excellence to help clients deepen their brand's engagement with their customers in a more sustainable and interactive way. Design Reactor has provided award winning campaigns for leading global brands such as AMD, Cisco, HP, Palm and Disney, and continually provides informative digital experiences that reach and influence customers in-home, in-store and online. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Austin, Texas. For more information on Design Reactor, go to http://www.designreactor.com.
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