An first glance, Chatroulette, the video chat service that randomly connects consumers with webcams to strangers, would appear to be a marketing no-fly zone. After all, most mainstream reports view the service as nothing more than a haven for weirdoes and amateur pornographers. But Chatroulette's audience is soaring, and clothing retailer French Connection is testing the service's marketing potential.
French Connection is giving $375 in vouchers to the first person to prove they used Chatroulette to set up a date, Ad Age reports. It's a small prize, but brands wading into the waters of Chatroulette are wise to be hesitant, as much of what happens on Chatroulette could be considered pornography.
The brand has no official partnership with Chatroulette, nor did it seek permission. All of the rules are posted on French Connection's website, and consumers simply need to prove they set up a date by pasting comments or providing a screen grab from the Chatroulette website.
Even though there is the constant risk of stumbling upon X-rated material, Chatroulette's audience has exploded since it launched in November 2009. The website had 1 million visitors in January, and February numbers are expected to quadruple that.
