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Children’s online selves help guide shopping
By Liz McGathey, Staff Writer
For this back-to-school season, The Shops at Willow Bend is reaching out to the children by helping them send family and friends a back-to-school wish list delivered by a personalized virtual version of themselves.
By visiting www.findyour-
go.com, students can transform a regular photo of themselves into a custom talking avatar — a virtual talking cartoon-like representation of a person. The photo must be a straight-on headshot with no distractions around the head. The talking characters may be customized down to their clothing, hair color and background. Users also can record a personal voice message, type a message for the computer to speak or select a clever pre-recorded message that humorously tells parents why they need the attached wish-list to succeed in school.
Not only will parents get to view their child’s wish list and access weekly sales information organized by shopping categories, they can also learn about the trendiest back-to-school items and voice their opinions by voting on featured products.
Diana Gold, Willow Bend’s marketing and sponsorship director, said the mall has always hosted programs to support back-to-school season, but they are usually geared toward mothers.
The talking avatar is a unique way to reach out to the children while keeping parents informed.
“Students, particularly teens, like to be heard and the talking avatar and trend polling are two ways for them to voice their thoughts,” Gold said.
She expects the animated avatars to create a buzz and increase traffic to the shopping center and its Web site.
“I think we’ve got a very sophisticated Web site,” Gold said. “Taubman has definitely come up with a program that’s unique, that’s forward thinking.”
“Taubman is ahead of the curve. This deployment is a perfect example of digital and nontraditional coming together for an innovative and inspiring campaign that empowers and entertains shoppers,” says Adi Sideman, CEO of Oddcast. “The students are going to think it’s cool and the parents will be wowed. It’s the perfect viral marketing mix.”
The avatars will be available through Sept. 30 and will remain live and available through Oct. 31.
The Shops at Willow Bend is located at the northwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and West Park Boulevard. For more information about stores, restaurants or events, at The Shops at Willow Bend, call 972-202-7110 or visit www.shopwillow- bend.com.
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