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DAILY NEWS
Sep 17, 2008 6:05 AM
Second Life Garners Awards for Ontario Public Service Site
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The Ontario Public Service (OPS) Careers Island in Second Life, a product of the Ontario government and interactive marketing firm TheSLAgency, was named winner of the prestigious Innovation Merit Award at Showcase Ontario.
TheSLAgency, a New York-based interactive marketing firm specializing in Second Life and virtual world engagements, has been recognized for its pioneering Ontario Public Service (OPS) Careers Island in Second Life.
The Ontario Ministry of Government Services was awarded the prestigious Innovation Merit Award last week at the annual Showcase Ontario government conference.
TheSLAgency created OPS' virtual presence in Second Life, allowing for potential career-seekers to find information, testimonials and simulations on real world jobs via the virtual world. The interactive career experience allows Second Life users to analyze traffic patterns using live video feeds from throughout Ontario, to virtually test water samples for pathogens, and to experience other popular jobs in Ontario before applying to the job in the real world.
TheSLAgency Managing Partner Joe Mastrocovi states, "Our innovative government work in virtual worlds has produced a lot of successes, and we're honored that the Ontario government feels that our work is award-worthy.
We're proud that beyond awards, this engagement brings our client real results with increased job seekers, applicants, and final hires!"
Mastrocovi's agency has big plans for Ontario and other government clients this Fall, as expanded presences and new government figures are going to be joining the ranks of TheSLAgency's clientele. Mastrocovi notes that "we see expanded government involvement in virtual worlds, including Second Life, throughout 2009 and 2010. Our government clients are reaping rewards already, and the programs we have planned for the next 18 months will only help them to continue to do so."
Additional, in the coming weeks and months, the Second Life marketing firm will unveil its enhanced Business to Business virtual world offerings, complimenting the government work currently taking place in Second Life.
Second Life privacy and security notices state that anyone using the Linden Lab or Second Life websites from outside of the United States should be aware that personal Information collected on the websites may be stored and processed in the United States or any other country in which Linden Lab or its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents maintain facilities, and by using the websites, the user consents to any such transfer of information outside of the user's country, the website states.
Backed by Moderne Promotions, a nightlife and event marketing firm, Long Island-based TheSLAgency is an interactive marketing agency that creates unique integrated marketing experiences in virtual worlds and in the real world.
TheSLAgency builds real relationships between consumers and brands, by combining real world events with virtual world experiences. These fully integrated brand experiences are the key to creating lasting impressions and relationships with discerning consumers of the 21st century.
