They say there are two constants in life: death and taxes, so when the Internal Revenue Service decides to invade the virtual computer massively multiplayer online [MMO] game known as Second Life a few heads should turn (as well as a few eyes start rolling).
Virtual Worlds & Social Networking Project Manager Frank Stripe said, “In 2008, the IRS project team established a presence in the Second Life virtual world with the goal of exploring the potential use of this environment for recruitment and training purposes. The team has created the IRS Careers Island and constructed a sky platform with an IRS Careers Center and an IRS Education Center. A number of building design configurations have been tested. A number of education and entertainment features have also been built to attract residents to the simulation (sim). All basic construction has been completed and the sim has been opened to the general population in Second Life since February 2009.”
Stripe goes on to say about the advertising they spend
In the physical world, we could spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions, on sponsoring a race car that displays our brand in a field of thirty or more other cars. In the SL virtual world, we have spent a few thousand dollars to build complete entertainment and communications venue that includes a race course. IRS branding throughout the venue not only displays our messaging, but it also instantly dispenses marketing collateral and links to our Careers web site.
Did the IRS gain some form of competition that requires them to even enter the sphere of advertising? They are the one agency that will go out of their way to find the “deadbeats” and make them pay. Can the IRS even “reshape” their public image? Sigh. Now people who are much too overweight can learn about the benefits given to people who are married and not hanging out in their parent’s bonus room above the garage.
Sources: Kotaku.com & College Recuiter.com
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