Connected Brand Experiences in Gaming

As Claire explained, brands are beginning to recognize the ubiquity and diversity of gamers—spanning demographics, platforms, and play styles.

Jonathan expanded on how technological advances, such as programmatic ad delivery and content moderation controls, have made gaming one of the safest and most versatile environments for advertisers. But success, he noted, isn’t about simply checking the “gaming” box. It requires alignment between message, audience, and the unique mechanics of gameplay.

The discussion also tackled the critical importance of format design. Claire shared insights into what makes mobile ad formats—like Rewarded Video—effective, and why players respond positively to opt-in, value-exchange experiences. Both speakers emphasized the need for brand activations to feel native, seamless, and additive to gameplay—not disruptive.

Other topics included brand suitability vs. safety, cross-platform audience strategies, and the power of gaming fandom and nostalgia. The takeaway? Brands that approach gaming with strategic intention—not just opportunism—stand to gain the most.