Analyst: Why The Bullish Forecasts For In-Game Ad Spending Are Justified
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Various reports are forecasting that marketers will spend billions of dollars on in-game ads over the next five years—with some even saying that spending could grow by almost 30 percent to top $1 billion next year (per ClickZ). Meanwhile, the IAB is proposing new standards to help make it easier for companies to buy, sell and quantify the value of in-game ads. But with all forms of advertising taking budget cuts, is this bullishness around in-game ads justified? Yes—according to Citi Investment analyst Mark Mahaney. In a research note (pdf), Mahaney outlined two reasons why the in-game ad market is poised for success:
—Better ad performance: Casual and in-game ads turn out higher engagement stats than standard banners—and they’re cheaper than search ads. A recent Kia campaign on Xbox Live, for example, netted ad click-through rates (CTRs) that were 840 percent higher than the company’s corresponding display ads—with average costs per click (CPCs) nearly 60 percent lower than search ads.
SEE ALSO: Play Time: In-Game Ad Spending To Top $1 Billion By 2014
—Expanding (ad-friendly) demographics: Gamers aren’t just the 18-year-old guys playing World of Warcraft or Halo. The average game player is actually 35—and a quarter of all games are played by people over 50. Meanwhile, 40 percent of all gamers are women. And it’s this “broad demographic appeal” that appears to be increasing marketers’ appetites for in-game ads, Mahaney wrote.
Photo Credit: RebeccaPollard
@GeekyChic
Jun 16, 2009 12:09 PM ET
Posted In: Advertising, Entertainment, Games, citi, iab
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