INTRUDER ALERT!

Big Brands and Video Games

Over the past decade, big brands have invaded the gaming space. Many of these companies will surprise you. From heartburn medicine to banks to airlines, a broad range of brands are now part of the online gaming scene. Dan Ferguson, the founder of Blockdot, will talk about the creative process used to successfully help high-profile brands integrate their campaigns into
the gaming space. Lessons learned and projects showcased will include: LEGO, Prilosec OTC, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, Degree Men’s Deodorant, Ritz Crackers and General Motors.
 
Dan is one of the founders of Blockdot, a world-renowned and award-winning studio specializing in Interactive Entertainment and Advergaming technologies. Dan has been involved with agency art direction and award-winning interactive design for over two decades. His strong business acumen in the areas of design and interactive marketing has led to the establishment of three successful, nationally recognized new media companies.

Dan is considered by many to be one of the forefathers of Advergaming having co-produced the internationally recognized game Elf Bowling in 1999, which according to USA Today, "one of the best viral marketing success stories of the year".

Since then he has helped create over 800 games for a broad-range of leading brand name companies, including American Airlines, AT&T, Baskin-Robbins, Kraft, LEGO, Microsoft, Motorola, M&Ms Brand, Nokia, Post Cereal, Unilever, Universal Pictures and Verizon.

Dan has won numerous awards for his work, including Brandweek Magazine's Marketer of the Next Generation Award, Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 100 Business, several Ad-Tech awards and Adweek's Buzz Award. He speaks at numerous marketing and gaming conferences every year. He also has the prestigious honor of having a Jedi named after him, Dando Urguson.