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POLL: MSG to introduce “virtual ads” on glass – goodness or badness?

This story has gotten a bit of play over the past few weeks, but it looks as if – short of corporate logos on uniforms – a hockey fan’s worst aesthetic nightmare is coming to a televised game near you (actually, tonight in New York):

From Sports Business Journal:

“Virtual ads are the truest form of immersive advertising,” said Dan Ronayne, executive vice president and general manager of MSG Networks. “This puts a brand right in front of a game in a way that is prominent and impactful.”

And don’t forget “intrusive”.

I get called out routinely for my old-school hockey mentality, fondly recalling the days of sponsorless icings, a thankful lack of pre-game pyrotechnics, and sheets of ice and dasherboards whose only prominent artistry was provided by the red and blue lines. Witness:

Bruinswhalers_medium

An innocent age. But of course, times change and streams of revenue must be expanded or created. It was only a matter of time before ads migrated their electronic way up the boards.

Thanks to Kukla’s Korner for the link.

“Virtual Advertising” in hockey, specifically on the glass: Keep it or Trash It?

Keep it…increasing revenue for the clubs is always a good thing 9
Trash it…this is minor-league all the way 24

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