Microsoft reveals interactive NUads for Kinect Xbox 360

Yesterday at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity, Microsoft revealed NUads – an interactive ad platform for the Kinect Xbox 360.
The idea is to transform TV ads into a service controlled by a viewer’s gesture and voice commands. If a viewer wants more information on an ad they see through Xbox Live they simply say ‘Xbox more’. The advertiser will also have the ability to send discount coupons to viewers’ inboxes. Viewers can share stuff they come across by saying ‘Xbox Tweet’ and find a retailer nearby selling the stuff they’re interested by saying ‘Xbox near me’.
Viewers will also be able to comment on TV shows and vote in real time on shows like the X-Factor.
Mark Kroese, general manager of Microsoft’s Advertising Business Group, wrote in his blog: “Buying traditional TV time, mostly the 30 second spot, has been the only guaranteed way to reach a broad audience. As a result, advertisers continue to buy TV, even though its effectiveness has been diminishing for years.” He argues that NUads will go some way to solving the lack of audience engagement that has ‘plagued’ TV advertising to date.
Microsoft did not reveal when NUads will be rolled out and if any major advertisers have shown any interest.