Welcome to Zwinktopia. Population? Ideally, we're talking about 4.7 million virtual residents and counting.
This morning's official launch of Zwinktopia is IAC/InterActiveCorp's
This morning's christening of Zwinktopia hopes to woo the 4.7 million active Zwinky users to come back home and expand their presence by being part of a virtual community. The new site offers 29 unique locations for users to explore with their avatars. Zwinky users can earn "Zbucks" by playing free online games and partaking in interactive activities. The virtual greenbacks can be used to hit the site's virtual stores for everything from new outfits to furniture.
If it sounds like a more kid-oriented version of Second Life, There.com, and Electronic Arts'
Other dedicated sites, including Webkinz, Club Penguin, and Viacom's
So why is IAC so eager to jump into the crowded fray? It's not necessarily the online advertising, since kid-geared sites are usually pretty barren on that front. The catch here is that Zwinky encourages users to download browser toolbars that come with Zwinky icons, for instant connectivity. The toolbar also includes a Web search box. Providing sponsored search-engine results is a competitive, high-margin business.
Zwinky is another foot in the door for IAC in that sense. You could say it's the shoehorn that keeps on giving.
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Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz isn't a Zwinky user, but he does wonder why it's so easy to tangle a Slinky. He does own shares in Disney. The Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick is also part of the Rule Breakers newsletter research team, seeking out tomorrow's ultimate growth stocks a day early.