Los Angeles (April 7, 2008) – Habbo, the premier and largest global virtual community for teens, announced today that Double Fusion, the leading independent in-game advertising firm, is now the exclusive advertising sales agency for the Habbo.com property. Double Fusion will manage media sales and coordinate in-game, integrated marketing campaigns that position brands in an exciting and authentic way to Habbo.com’s massive and hip teen audience.
As the exclusive advertising representative for Habbo.com, Double Fusion will handle advertising sales, sponsorships and promotional opportunities with brands seeking to reach Habbo.com’s growing base of 2.4 million unique visitors per month (source: Comscore). Utilizing their extensive sales experience in 2D and 3D environments for in-game advertising and marketing campaigns, Double Fusion will work with advertisers from the entertainment industry, retail, fashion and sports arenas to create relevant and interactive brand campaigns. By integrating branding elements into its virtual world, Habbo builds exposure and increases awareness without the use of intrusive ads. The partnership aims to build campaigns that support the Habbo experience, and that organically grow due to the community support.
“Habbo teens are savvy and insist on interacting with brands in a way that is both fun and enhances the online experience, and Double Fusion is unique in its ability to blend traditional media with immersive online campaigns which our users will enjoy,” said Teemu Huuhtanen, Executive VP, Marketing, Ad Sales and Business Development, Sulake Corporation and President, North America, Sulake Inc. “Over 200 advertisers have used Habbo globally and the trend is growing. The average Habbo user spends nearly 40 minutes on the site per visit, which provides a rich foundation for a company seeking to build an identity in a virtual world environment.”
Leveraging Habbo’s virtual world for real world branding, advertisers can execute a variety of marketing initiatives, including in-game billboards, contests, interstitials and instant-console messaging, customized brand rooms, sponsored quests, – all of which create a natural integration that adds value and appeals to teens.
“Double Fusion understands the power of Habbo, and the richness and depth of the audience and environment,” said Jonathan Epstein, president and CEO, Double Fusion. “The virtual world environment is a natural extension of our vast experience building both sponsorship and media programs in the gaming landscape.”
There are currently Habbo communities in 32 countries on six continents. To date, more than 92 million Habbo characters have been created globally and 8.6 million unique users worldwide visit Habbo each month (source: Google Analytics).
About Habbo:
Habbo is a richly colorful, multi-dimensional virtual community and game environment for teens. Users join by creating a fully customized online character called a Habbo. From there, they can explore many public hang-outs, play a variety of games, connect with friends, decorate their own rooms, and have fun through creativity and self expression. Currently there are Habbo communities in 32 countries on six continents. To date, over 94 million Habbo characters have been created and 9.5 million unique users worldwide visit Habbo each month (source: Google Analytics).
About Double Fusion:
Double Fusion is the game advertising expert. The company brings together the leading in-game ad serving technology, the broadest network of games across a wide variety of genres, and a sales force that has helped create and evolve the in-game advertising industry. Double Fusion provides marketers and their advertising agencies with the broadest range of in-game, around-game and web-based solutions with which to engage and sell the valuable and hard-to-reach gamer demographics. Double Fusion is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Jerusalem, London, and Tokyo. More information on Double Fusion is available at www.doublefusion.com.
Advertisers interested in opportunities within the Double Fusion network; and developers and publishers interested in increasing their per-title revenues through integrated and dynamic ad placement opportunities should visit www.doublefusion.com.
