Avatar and 3D virtual world company IMVU announced the organization of a new advertising sales and sponsorship group designed to help its ad partners reach its audience. The company has brought in music business veteran Danny Wright as head of sales to manage this new department.

IMVU also joined the Alloy Digital Network, Alloy Media + Marketing's media content and advertising group, whose ad partners include Paramount Pictures, MGM, LG Mobile Phones, and others. The avatar company plans to work with Alloy's digital sales and production team to take advantage of ad options like banners, videos, animated environments, branded virtual goods, and in-world video sponsorships.

So far, IMVU has made most of its revenue (over $1.5 million each month) from its 35 million registered users -- the company revealed that those users contributed more than 85 percent to its revenue from the direct sale of virtual credits, which are used to purchase digital products for avatars. IMVU currently offers over 2.5 million items through its digital goods catalog.

"IMVU spent our first five years focused on growing revenue paid directly from consumers," says IMVU's VP of Marketing and Sales Jeff Titterton. "With consumer revenue ramping quickly, we are now ready to bring high-quality brands into IMVU. Partnering with Alloy and hiring Danny Wright are important elements of augmenting our core business model."