metaldector
11-28-2007, 05:36 PM
Divers and Non-Divers Prepare to Explore New Underwater Cave System
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 28 November 2007 - Thousands of certified scuba divers and non-divers worldwide are taking the plunge and experiencing the thrill and mystery of underwater cavern and cave diving - without even getting their feet wet. On 1 December 2007, PADI’s Dive World located in Second Life (www.secondlife.com) will launch a new system of caves and caverns as part of a virtual enhancement to the popular “underwater” realm.
Since its launch in July 2007, PADI has worked with developers to grow Dive World into an amazing aquatic realm complete with sea turtles, fish, coral reefs and more. The underwater topography is enhanced weekly, making every virtual dive in Dive World a new experience. Dive World avatars (virtual characters developed by real world users) can get a taste of what it’s like to ice dive, wreck dive or swim through the canopy of a giant kelp forest.
Why develop a virtual diving environment? “eMarketing is a critical component of today’s marketing mix,” says Amy Warren, PADI Americas eMarketing Executive. “To attract new customers to diving, we have to go where the people are … and they’re online. But, eMarketing tactics differ from traditional marketing tactics. A message that’s too commercial won’t do much to influence the buying decisions of web users. By creating an interactive experience for users such as Dive World, however, the PADI family reaches consumers who have an interest in diving. The virtual experience becomes the hook to get them into their local PADI Dive Center or Resort to experience the real thing. Plus, at any time during their stay in Dive World, Second Life residents can transform their virtual experience by clicking over to PADI eLearning to let the real adventure begin.”
Inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe, Second Life offers an excellent eMarketing opportunity for PADI Members. As PADI Offices continue to host events and launch additional Dive World applications, an increasing number of Second Life residents are being drawn to this aquatic world. During the third week of November 2007 alone, more than 2000 Second Life residents visited Dive World to learn more about becoming a certified PADI Diver in the PADI Information Center. They also learned about what they can do to help protect our precious aquatic resources in the new Project AWARE Center. And, of course, residents visited Dive World to make a virtual dive.
To learn more about PADI’s eMarketing efforts and how to effectively attract more customers to your business via the internet, contact PADI’s International Resort and Retailer Associations at 800 729 7234 or +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2260. And don’t forget to make a plan to meet up with your buddies this Saturday in Second Life to explore the new system of underwater caverns and caves, complete with stalactites, stalagmites, and other flora and fauna typical of temperate water cave environments. Simply log onto www.SecondLife.com and create a free avatar. Then search for “PADI Dive World” and “teleport” to the island to experience all the fun.
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 28 November 2007 - Thousands of certified scuba divers and non-divers worldwide are taking the plunge and experiencing the thrill and mystery of underwater cavern and cave diving - without even getting their feet wet. On 1 December 2007, PADI’s Dive World located in Second Life (www.secondlife.com) will launch a new system of caves and caverns as part of a virtual enhancement to the popular “underwater” realm.
Since its launch in July 2007, PADI has worked with developers to grow Dive World into an amazing aquatic realm complete with sea turtles, fish, coral reefs and more. The underwater topography is enhanced weekly, making every virtual dive in Dive World a new experience. Dive World avatars (virtual characters developed by real world users) can get a taste of what it’s like to ice dive, wreck dive or swim through the canopy of a giant kelp forest.
Why develop a virtual diving environment? “eMarketing is a critical component of today’s marketing mix,” says Amy Warren, PADI Americas eMarketing Executive. “To attract new customers to diving, we have to go where the people are … and they’re online. But, eMarketing tactics differ from traditional marketing tactics. A message that’s too commercial won’t do much to influence the buying decisions of web users. By creating an interactive experience for users such as Dive World, however, the PADI family reaches consumers who have an interest in diving. The virtual experience becomes the hook to get them into their local PADI Dive Center or Resort to experience the real thing. Plus, at any time during their stay in Dive World, Second Life residents can transform their virtual experience by clicking over to PADI eLearning to let the real adventure begin.”
Inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe, Second Life offers an excellent eMarketing opportunity for PADI Members. As PADI Offices continue to host events and launch additional Dive World applications, an increasing number of Second Life residents are being drawn to this aquatic world. During the third week of November 2007 alone, more than 2000 Second Life residents visited Dive World to learn more about becoming a certified PADI Diver in the PADI Information Center. They also learned about what they can do to help protect our precious aquatic resources in the new Project AWARE Center. And, of course, residents visited Dive World to make a virtual dive.
To learn more about PADI’s eMarketing efforts and how to effectively attract more customers to your business via the internet, contact PADI’s International Resort and Retailer Associations at 800 729 7234 or +1 949 858 7234, ext. 2260. And don’t forget to make a plan to meet up with your buddies this Saturday in Second Life to explore the new system of underwater caverns and caves, complete with stalactites, stalagmites, and other flora and fauna typical of temperate water cave environments. Simply log onto www.SecondLife.com and create a free avatar. Then search for “PADI Dive World” and “teleport” to the island to experience all the fun.