Yesterday, I wrote about the launch of DayZ Loop, an online TV network aimed at teenage girls. I had a couple of questions: one about how advertising would work on the community, and also over whether its focus on 'infotainment' would appeal to a wide base of users.
Renee Steiger, creator of strategic alliances at the company, got in touch today with some more info on both of those. Let's start with the latter point.
"Believe it or not, our teen girl members - as well as some other recent market studies - show that girls get tired of the 'in your face' aspect of some other sites," she says. "Also, they often feel uncomfortable with being approached by strangers who may have ulterior motives."
"Although our site is referral-only for girls 13 to 17, we closely monitor key words which could suggest sexual or aggressive behavior, and girls are empowered to keep the site safe by virtue of who they invite to join. Those who are not respectful to others will need to leave the site. Also, on each page, girls can click on a link to report unwanted behavior."
Meanwhile, on the sponsorship and advertising front, Steiger says DayZ Loop aren't big fans of banner ads, so don't plan to use them on the community. Two methods that will be used are sponsorships of the site's TV show segments, and offering prizes for competitions. But there are two other areas too.
"They can submit high quality content for one-page articles we post to the site, usually to give more detail to a TV show that's aired, or on a similar or different topic within their area of expertise," she says. "Also, they can post their logo or tag lines on the big screens (like movie screens) located in each of the six hangout spaces.
"Girls can go into hangout spaces via really cool Avatars who represent different body types. In the hangout spaces, girls can socialize or talk about a show which recently aired. They can chat, dance, sit, walk, prepare food, play sports, sing, or watch what's playing on the screens - whatever they're in the mood for."