V.I.P. Offers Interactive Episodes, Ads Play Key Role

V.I.P., the nationally syndicated action series that follows the adventures of Hollywood bodyguard agency leader Vallery Irons (Pamela Anderson), has gone interactive for four weekend episodes, through May 19.

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment partnered with Columbia TriStar Television, Sony Online Entertainment and Microsoft’s Ultimate TV for the project.

V.I.P. Interactive’s one-screen experience is available to Ultimate TV users only, and is not accessible on other ATVEF-compliant tuners.

The cooperative between Columbia TriStar and SPDE takes aim at interactivity within the drama format, following SPDE’s successful interactive versions of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

For the viewer, V.I.P. Interactive includes pop-up trivia, an interactive multiple choice quiz, on-line polls and more.

In a key role for advertisers, 30-second interactive ads include a loyalty points program in which players compete for prizes. Points are awarded per participation. Home players receive points each time they go interactive per episode and are then entered into a V.I.P. Interactive sweepstakes. Sony products are awarded for each episode.

In addition to key positioning on the show’s screen interface, there is an additional coup for advertisers. V.I.P. Interactive players must visit the show’s Companion Club Web site immediately after the show to register their points, and advertisers enjoy key ad placement on the site.