Dr Pepper Pimps Gamer

Next time your mum tells you to step away from the games console and do something productive (or you'll never make anything of yourself!), you might want to tell her this heart-warming tale of Tom "Tsquared" Taylor. Why? Because the Major League Gamer (MLG) star is appearing on the front of 175 million 20-ounce bottles of Dr Pepper. Just because he's really good at games!

The promotion is part of Dr Pepper's second year as sponsor of the Major League Gaming, which organises professional gaming through a host of websites. It marks the first time Dr Pepper has featured any sporting partners or stars on the front of its bottles in a nationwide promotion.

Tsquared's appearance on the bottles will be part of Dr Pepper's support of "Str8 Rippin", the top-ranked MLG team. In addition to plastering the front of its bottles with Taylor's face, the company is also setting up a website with hours of content relating to the team.

Tsquared signed a $250,000 (£166,900) deal with MLG back in 2006. $250,000!

So, why do these guys warrant so much money? "Young, 18-24 males are avid Dr Pepper drinkers", said Dr Pepper brand manager, Terry Hockens to Marketing Daily. "With over 10 million consumers going to the [MLG] gaming Web sites each month, the partnership provides us with a unique, highly targeted way to reach this particular audience."

So that's why the time you spend sat in front of the Call of Duty: World at War is worthwhile...