Want proof that some of the biggest corporations are taking virtual worlds seriously? ArcelorMittal, one of the largest steel companies in the world, is to hold a virtual shareholders meeting in Second Life. That includes individual shareholders getting the chance to pose questions to the company's management, as well as access documentation relating to the company. It's happening on 17 June, with a pre-registration process at the company's website.
MixedRealities has some more information, suggesting that French firm Community Chest has been working on the Second Life project, which may have cost around 150,000 Euros (admittedly a drop in the ocean for the ArcelorMittal bosses). The company may even have plans to sell its shares within Second Life, for Linden dollars. Now that would be an innovative move, albeit one fraught with potential regulatory problems.
Will this kind of virtual meeting catch on? On the one hand, the chance to pose questions directly to the board of a company like ArcelorMittal is attractive to shareholders who can’t make the actual meeting. On the downside, it’s a lot of money to spend if, say, only a dozen shareholders turn up in Second Life. The proof will come on 17 June.
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