Advertising in the digital age: The microsite as a strategic factor in on-line advertising campaigns

Abstract

The exponential and irreversible growth of the social web is an undeniable phenomenon that is provoking a series of changes in communication models. This global revolution proposes a new model that is completely democratic, in which a user, regardless of origin, status or occupation, can be the issuer and receiver of information in real time. This has forced advertising to redefine and adapt itself, modifying its strategies and formats in order to align to the new model. The traditional rules of elaborating commercial messages do not apply in the Internet environment, and their advertising efficiency is limited. However, investment in this medium increases year by year, the proof being the market's gamble on the commercial possibilities of Internet. This work studies a new advertising model on the Net: a microsite. This format invites the user to enjoy a sensorial experience through the computer which issues interactive commercial messages that are subtle but convincing. Through the analysis of the semantic and technical content of a sample of these slots, we seek to define and emphasize the principle characteristics of the microsite and to reflect upon its strategic role within on-line advertising campaigns.