It is hard to determine the inception of virtual or augmented reality for advertising purposes, but we have come a long way. For example, this ad from NBC and Bulova was the first ever TV commercial telecasted almost 80 years ago.
The ad cost $9 at that time and may look very ordinary. However, it changed the world, and today, immersive technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality have simply changed the global advertising and marketing industry.
Following are some fascinating real-world examples of immersive marketing.
1. Gatorade’s “Beat the Blitz”
“Beat the Blitz” uses advanced virtual reality technology to replicate the sensation of dehydration that an athlete experiences.
This innovative approach combines elements of gamification, immersive VR with headsets, and the use of a 3D hologram featuring Peyton Manning to mimic the effects of dehydration on an athlete’s performance.
While functioning as both an educational tool and an engaging VR game, Gatorade has excelled in creating an immersive experience that focuses on the importance of hydration rather than promoting its product.
They have tailored this experience to their target audience, enlisting an industry icon and incorporating realistic arm movements to simulate skills that resonate with players.
Link to Beat the Blitz
2. Dominos AR Pizza Order on Snapchat
Who would have thought that ordering pizza would be fun? Yes, the thought of cheesy pizza bites is mouthwatering, but ordering pizza is way more fun than it used to be.
Snapchat has introduced a new feature that not only allows you to order pizza via the app, but you can virtually open the pizza box like in real life.
3. Breonna’s Garden
The Breonna’s Garden app offers an engaging mixed-reality experience. This virtual memorial for Breonna Taylor combines various 3D elements, 2D videos, and augmented reality to honor and celebrate her life. The app includes video clips of Breonna and her family, as well as a 3D hologram of her sister and a 3D representation of Breonna.
This app creates an interactive real-world garden where people from anywhere can participate, leave their personal messages, and immerse themselves in an entertaining virtual flower garden from the comfort of their own homes.
Link to Breonna’s Garden
4. Virtual Reality Kitchen—IKEA
This VR advertising campaign from IKEA has been around for a while, but it’s still a great example of how businesses can use virtual reality effectively. Imagine being able to cook Swedish meatballs in your own virtual kitchen, which you can customize endlessly.
It’s an exciting concept that captures people’s attention. The idea of cooking in a virtual world is quite appealing, making it a standout advertisement.
5. 2022 Oscar 5G Portal
Verizon employed innovative targeting techniques during the Oscars to create a sense of missing out (FOMO) for those without 5G connectivity. They live-streamed behind-the-scenes footage using Verizon 5G, offering viewers access to multiple 360-degree cameras on or around the red carpet. This allowed users to choose their preferred camera view for an interactive, real-time experience.
Verizon directed their customers searching for the Oscars to an AR portal via a web link. However, if the link was shared with someone without 5G, it didn’t provide both audio and video. The idea was to emphasize the advantages of 5G. Verizon aims to encourage phone upgrades to stay updated with online celebrity conversations.
Link to Verizon’s 5G portal
6. Lowe’s VR DIY Clinics
In the changing world of shopping, where people buy things online and seek exciting in-store adventures, technology is like the battlefield for competing brands.
Lowe’s has done a fantastic job by developing a cool simulation that gives customers a fun and informative experience. By doing this, they show everyone that they are super smart and always coming up with new ideas in their industry.
7. The Weeknd Super Bowl Half-time Experience by Pepsi
Pepsi collaborated with The Weeknd to develop a user-friendly AR portal accessible through a QR code without the need for any downloads. This seamless transition from a Pepsi soda can or digital signage to the AR portal created an exceptional experience.
The portal granted users access to an immersive realm featuring exclusive video clips from The Weeknd and a 360-degree video capturing their half-time performance from a front-row perspective. The interactivity and immersion provided by entering the AR portal improved the traditional 2D half-time show.
8. Play a Coke Musical AR by Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola joined forces with Blippar and Spotify to offer personalized music lists to people in Canada. If this was meant for people in the United States, they might have preferred Snapchat. However, the interests varied greatly in the neighboring country. So, it is safe to say that along with innovation, it was a strategically genius move by Coca-Cola.
Link to Coke Musical AR
9. Intel’s Microsoft Build AR experience
Microsoft and Intel collaborated on a B2B project to create an engaging AR experience for developers. The project aimed to introduce mobile-based AR technology into a traditionally desktop-focused developer engagement strategy that typically relied on blog posts, solution briefs, and YouTube tutorials.
The campaign was a big success because of the interactive and immersive nature of AR. It appealed to developers’ preference for hands-on experiences and allowed them to interact with and control the narrative. This approach not only increased engagement but also effectively simulated complex technical solutions.
10.Snapchat Campaign by Bareburger
The AR burger may not satisfy your taste buds, but it serves as an exciting platform to showcase the premium items on the menu. Some may attempt to take a virtual bite, as it looks so real and fun, and there is no risk of harm involved.
This campaign is a unique combination of technology and culinary artistry that allows customers to delve into a visually appetizing experience without any real-world consequences.
11.AR Mask Experience by The New York Times
The New York Times has a strong history of engaging in immersive journalism, consistently leading the way in utilizing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for educational purposes.
One notable example of this was the mask experience, which excelled in educating users about the effectiveness of masks.
By immersing the viewer into the intricate fibers that constitute mask materials and simulating the actions of COVID-19 molecules, the experience illustrates how masks effectively capture and block the virus.
This showcases the remarkable ability of immersive technology to take users to places inaccessible in reality and to visualize microscopic phenomena beyond the naked eye.
Link to the AR Mask Experience
12.Chevron
Chevron, a traditional brand, embraced immersive technology for engaging policymakers, executives, partners, and customers.
They introduced a VR experience simulating life on an oil rig using 360-degree video, 3D content, and spatial audio. This allowed friends and families of Chevron rig employees to experience their working conditions.
Following this, Chevron launched an AR campaign at the World Oil and Gas Conference in Washington, DC, using iPad Pros to display digital AR content.
The campaign showcased their latest facility on an isolated island that emphasized conservation and innovation in the oil and gas industry while also bringing rare wildlife species to life through animated AR and 3D content.
13.Ally Bank AR Monopoly
Ally Bank launched an engaging campaign using immersive technologies and a nostalgic game to attract new customers and boost brand recognition in key markets.
They organized an AR-based scavenger hunt, placing QR code signs in urban areas for users to scan and access entertaining AR content and a chance to win cash prizes.
The inclusion of a real-life Mr. Monopoly in their publicity campaigns generated excitement and awareness among the target audience.
By leveraging a money-themed game, Ally Bank successfully combined its brand identity with a sense of fun and nostalgia. They were pioneers in using this approach to promote business services through scavenger hunts.
Read more about Ally Bank AR Monopoly
14.Jaguar and Gorillaz
Jaguar aimed to attract top engineering talent by partnering with the band Gorillaz to create an immersive challenge for coders and developers. With the demand for tech-savvy employees on the rise, this collaboration offered a unique approach to talent acquisition.
Leveraging Gorillaz’s popular mixed-reality app provided a ready-made audience that enabled Jaguar to focus on delivering an exceptional experience.
Since the campaign’s launch, Jaguar has maintained its commitment to engaging developers. It has also introduced a coders academy, extending its innovative approach to ongoing talent development.
Link to Jaguar and Gorillaz Campaign
15.Spiderman: Homecoming VR
If you are a Spiderman fan, this one is for you. In this adventure, you step into Spiderman’s shoes, Swinging through the city, fighting the crime you choose. In a nutshell, you can fulfill your superhero dream.
Final Words
Immersive marketing has become a vital component of any marketing strategy nowadays. Giving customers a pre-purchase experience gives businesses a competitive edge. That is why immersive marketing has been common in every industry, including tech, fashion, food, retail, real estate, etc.