Five Ways AR and VR are Changing the Marketing Industry

Augmented reality (AR) is quickly becoming an essential tool in any marketer’s toolbox, offering a new dimension and perspective to storytelling. As immersive technologies like AR and virtual reality (VR) continue to evolve, many Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) are finding themselves needing to integrate these technologies into their brand’s marketing strategy. Here are five key things every CMO should know about how AR and VR are revolutionizing the marketing industry.

A Different Customer Experience

AR and VR provide marketers with the ability to enhance the customer experience by adding utility and deeper context. While VR allows for the creation of immersive ‘on brand’ worlds, AR enhances the customer experience visually, such as allowing customers to virtually try on products like furniture or clothing. As AR technology continues to advance, it will not only show customers what something looks like but also how it feels, creating a more interactive and personalized experience. According to Samantha G. Wolfe, founder of PitchFWD, marketers need to start thinking in 360 degrees to create meaningful digital customer experiences.

AR and VR: The Future of Social Media

AR and VR are closely tied to social media, with platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook incorporating AR features into their apps. Facebook’s introduction of Facebook Shops is changing the way people shop online by offering a multi-dimensional shopping experience with 3D-like photo capabilities. The future of eCommerce will include intelligent closets, automated product detection, and more immersive shopping experiences.

Virtual Beings Mean Big Business

Virtual beings, human-like digital characters powered by AI and machine learning, are becoming a new way for brands to interact with consumers online. These virtual characters, like Lil Miquela and Lucy from Fable Studio, offer a more personalized and authentic brand experience. Brand managers are encouraged to think about how their brand can be embodied by virtual beings to create a unique online presence.

Customer Meetings & A Whole Different Shopping Experience

AR and VR are transforming the way brands engage with customers online, turning e-commerce into immersive, 3D experiences. Companies like Obsess are creating virtual showrooms that allow customers to interact with products in a whole new way. Augmented Reality is bringing products directly into customers’ living rooms, providing a more engaging and interactive shopping experience.

Using AR and VR to Recruit, Train, and Retain Your Marketing Team

AR and VR are not only changing the way brands interact with customers but also how they recruit, train, and retain their marketing teams. These technologies are being used in industries like manufacturing to test potential employees in virtual environments, and marketing teams can benefit from the same approach. AR and VR offer a faster and more engaging way to train employees, making them attractive to younger talent.

As AR and VR continue to shape the marketing industry, brands that embrace these technologies will have a competitive advantage in engaging customers and staying ahead of the curve. The future of marketing is immersive, interactive, and personalized, thanks to the power of AR and VR.