Ontario Public Service Second Life Experience Recognized With Prestigious Innovation Merit Award

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) Careers Island in Second Life, a product of the Ontario government and digital marketing firm Moderne Interactive, was named winner of the prestigious Innovation Merit Award at Showcase Ontario.

New York (PRWEB) September 15, 2008 -- Moderne Interactive, a digital marketing firm specializing in Second Life and virtual world engagements, has been recognized for its pioneering Ontario Public Service (OPS) Careers Island in Second Life. The agency's client, the Ontario Ministry of Government Services, was awarded the prestigious Innovation Merit Award last week at the annual Showcase Ontario government conference.

Moderne Interactive, a division of marketing agency Moderne Communications, created OPS' virtual presence in Second Life, allowing for potential career-seekers to find information, testimonials and simulations on real world jobs via the virtual world. The interactive career experience allows Second Life users to analyze traffic patterns using live video feeds from throughout Ontario, to virtually test water samples for pathogens, and to experience other popular jobs in Ontario before applying to the job in the real world.

Adding to strong success the engagement has shown in the past months, the Showcase Ontario Innovation Merit Award (http://www.showcaseontario.com/2008/award/MeritWinners.cfm) confirms the inventive and unique approach that Moderne Interactive has taken with Ontario Public Service on the OPS Careers Island. Moderne Communications President Joe Mastrocovi states, "Our innovative government work in virtual worlds has produced a lot of successes, and we're honored that the Ontario government feels that our work is award-worthy. We're proud that beyond awards, this engagement brings our client real results with increased job seekers, applicants, and final hires!"

Mastrocovi's agency has big plans for Ontario and other government clients this Fall, as expanded presences and new government figures are going to be joining the ranks of Moderne's clientele. Mastrocovi notes that "we see expanded government involvement in virtual worlds (http://www.theslagency.com/govt), including Second Life, throughout 2009 and 2010. Our government clients are reaping rewards already, and the programs we have planned for the next 18 months will only help them to continue to do so."

Additional, in the coming weeks and months, the Second Life marketing firm (http://www.modernecommunications.com/interactive) will unveil its enhanced Business to Business virtual world offerings, complimenting the government work currently taking place in Second Life.

Please click here to visit the Ontario Public Service Careers Island (http://slurl.com/secondlife/OPS%20Careers/122/129/27/?img=http%3A//modernepromotions.com/OPS/DiscoverOPSad512d.jpg&title=Teleport%20to%20OPS%20Careers) in Second Life.

For more information on Moderne Interactive, please visit www.ModerneInteractive.com

About Moderne Interactive -- Moderne Interactive is a digital, web 2.0 and virtual worlds agency with its roots in the real world. As an operating unit of Moderne Communications, the interactive shop's focus is on leveraging web technologies and virtual worlds, including Second Life, for maximum ROI online and off. All of Moderne's digital programs, including online branded experiences, social media solutions and campaign microsites, integrate effectively with real world strategies to produce powerful results. These fully integrated brand experiences are the key to creating lasting impressions and relationships with discerning consumers of the 21st century. For more information, please see: www.ModerneCommunications.com/interactive

###