Happy Friday from hot-as-freakin’-heck Orlando, Florida. I’m on my way off to dinner so instead of posting a new idea, I’m going to steal share an idea from my Cambrian House buddy scrollinondubs (aka Sean Tierney).
Funny story, I posted a comment on another idea and he took my comment and ran with it, creating a full-blown pitch for a new startup idea. Wouldn’t you know it, it’s currently in the top position in the CH weekly tournament. Go check it out and (whether you like the idea or not) please vote and let us know what you think: http://www.cambrianhouse.com/idea/idea-promoter/ideas-id/tcqKAzy/
Here’s a snapshot of the idea, but you really should check out the link above, it’s got more detail and even a nice little video explantion.
The idea: buy small blocks of TV ads on digital cable, pack hundreds of single-frame adverts which can be viewed by people with Tivo and other DVR’s. Embedded in the haystack of single-frame ads is an ad for a fictitious company. The viewer who spots the fake company and successfully completes the scavenger hunt wins the prize of the day. Companies and small business owners pay low relative cost to run a TV ad and get the benefit of viewers interacting and going to their site to determine if it’s real.
Why it will work: TV advertisers are freaking out because DVR technology makes it easy for viewers to skip their commercials. Rather than fight the technology, this approach embraces the capabilities of DVR’s and turns the TV-watching experience into an interactive treasure hunt. It’s unique enough that it should become a topic of buzz. Not only does it help advertisers restore viewer attention in the face DVR’s, it brings TV advertising to a new market.
