Taxes and Second Life- H&R Block Enters Virtual World
H&R Block embraces the shadow consumer with avatar to avatar tax interaction. Notable the use of a “tango” dance script, a common activity in SL, tied to the product line, a product bundle that costs $100 Lindens that can be redeemed for a A special code that provides access to the new Tango product, Real World retail value of $70. US, virtual scooters to tour H&R Block Island (entertainment & interaction), Tango avatar apparel (fashion), a program that will enable Second Life residents to earn Linden Dollars by helping to market H&R Block’s Tango product bundle on their own virtual property (affiliation, business).
From the press release:
Visitors to H&R Block Island will experience a new virtual tax world as they arrive at a landing point dotted with welcome signs, maps and other navigational tools, including:
– A virtual H&R Block tax experience where real life tax professionals will be available in avatar form to answer tax-related questions free of charge. H&R Block’s virtual tax advisor avatars are named Hope Bechir and Rex Philbin. Hope and Rex will hold office hours in Second Life from 6-7 p.m. PDT on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting March 13 through April 17, 2007.
– A main auditorium where visitors can watch a video describing the development of H&R Block’s revolutionary innovative new tax preparation product, Tango ( www.hrblock.com/tango), as well as attend other in-world activities.
– An exclusive H&R Block Tango product bundle that costs 100 Linden Dollars and includes:
– A special code that provides access to the new Tango product, which retails in the real world for $70.
– A variety of virtual scooters to tour H&R Block Island, virtual dancing shoes that allow users to do a tango-style dance when worn, and other Tango avatar apparel.
– A program that will enable Second Life residents to earn Linden Dollars by helping to market H&R Block’s Tango product bundle on their own virtual property.
H&R Block will plan events and new activities in Second Life on a regular basis throughout tax season and during the off-season as well. The company will continue to expand and refine its Second Life presence through active engagement with the community.
Popularity: 61% [?]