I wrote a post earlier in the week about Taco Bell’s entry into consumer-generated advertising.  They have coined the term Avatarsment for a new promotion they have using a software developed by Gizmoz. 

As of Monday the press release was out but the website wasn’t live (whoops), but today I went online and uploaded my headshot.  They “skinned” me with a new hairstyle and clothes.  I was also able to upload my own voice for my virtual “audition”.  If enough people vote for me I will make it onto a commercial that will be broadcast on the MTV Music Awards this September 9th.  I will also receive acting fees and a year’s worth of Taco Bell, um, food.

Check it:

Vote for me here:

Learn more about Taco Bell’s entry into CGA here:

Learn more about Gizmoz here:

I think this is an interesting idea - and I really want to get into the commercial at least as an extra - but I have a few comments:

• Gizmoz isn’t ready.  Even using my uber-fast office connection wasn’t enough to make this process go quickly.  Uploading my photo, digitizing it, adding the audio, and then finally having it published took almost 15 minutes. If I wasn’t for part vanity and part curiosity I would have quit the process much earlier. 
• Taco Bell is using a walled garden.  My entry (audition) wasn’t posted for hours after it was submitted.  TB notified me that it was tied up in “jury” (a.k.a., profanity filters) to determine if I was was a bad boy.  Some have argued that the costs associated with building a walled garden such as this outweigh the buzz generated by the campaign itself.
• Rating auditions requires me to log in.  Nobody wants to log in to vote for their friend.  My mom won’t log in.  My buddies won’t log in.  If I send this link out to friends asking them to vote for me about 90% will turn away when they see the words “log in”.
• On the upside, the softward makes it easy for me to install my new avatar onto MySpace with the click of a button.  They also offer me code so that I can post it on my website. Very good ideas for getting viral buzz going.