How Virtual Reality Will Impact the Future of Marketing
Virtual reality in Marketing entails online business positioning, ranking, and optimization, website indexation, advertising of banners, marketing of emails, content development, and social media market research. It is the basis of search engine marketing.
Virtual reality is an artificially generated environment by a 3D computer program and presented to its’ user in a manner that stimulates reality, making it a definition beyond film or video programs.
Globally the adoption of Virtual reality technology has been influenced by social, economic and technological dynamics.
The adoption has been vigorous due to its dynamic capabilities. Technology is very fast growing as seen with videos, phones and games.
In the world of marketing Virtual reality brings out a new platform, especially when it comes to companies engaging their clients.
Generally companies and marketers tend to look for better approaches when it comes to how best to package their goods and services. In light of this, Virtual Reality gets into perspective.
Some of the most recent examples of virtual reality in action during marketing campaign are:
Hyundai’s Virtual Rally
Recently during World Rally Championship held in Italy, a European company Innocean introduced a 4D Hyundai driving experience for visitors using a technology they called Oculus Rift.
The co-driving simulator was aimed at engaging motor fans and at the same time raising awareness of the models strong performance on the rally circuit. It allowed participants to actually feel what its like to be part of a rally race car.
This driving experience is based on a motion platform that stimulates centrifugal forces of up to 0.5 g alongside 360 degree footage of a race played through Oculus Rift glasses, motion and audio data from a racing vehicle.
The companies stated that this kind of driving experience was the first of its kind. It was also the first time these technologies were ever combined, using specially developed software to merge the cars movement of the car with 360 degree footage and road noises.
It was created by IWE and a German partner agency.
Crash Testing With NRMA
NRMA Insurance used virtual reality technology headset last year to promote car safety during an exhibit in Sydney.
The Showroom was based on a crash test dummy simulation and experience of what it’s like to be in a car crash.
This experience made use of a modern car and a 30-year vintage. The test driver sat in a real car linked to a hydraulic system that moves the car in sync with virtual movements in a 3D simulation.
The driver wore a headset surrounded by the 3D simulation to allow him to turn their head to examine the inside of the car and also look out of the windows.
This simulation was built through collaboration between an ad agency and a film production studio.
Teleporting to a Beach In Hawaii Or London
Marriot Hotels created a 4D sensory experience in order to ‘teleport’ guests to various destinations like beaches in Hawaii or downtown London on a test of virtual reality marketing.
This brand partnered with special effects experts, as well as a marketing agency which came up with the virtual travel experiences delivered through a specially crafted device and toured eight cities in the USA a few years back.
The structure, a phone, structured like a booth featured the Oculus Rift DK2 virtual reality headset alongside wireless headphones and a suite on 4D sensory elements.
The experience, according to the hotels chain, required developing a new technique for capturing 3D live videos, that was then mixed with photo real computer-generated imagery and 4D elements like heat, wind as well as mist.
Their invited guests travelled from a certain lobby to a black sand beach in Maui, for instance or to the top of Tower 42 sky scrapper in London. A great treat and experience for their guests indeed.
Coca-cola’s Casa Coca Cola 2014 FIFA World Cup Virtual Reality Campaign
Coca-cola partnered with YDreams virtual reality technologies during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, to immerse visitors into the “Casa Coca Cola”- an awesome Virtual reality experience.
Guests were taken to a mock locker room in Brazil’s Stadium to put on VR headgear that took them from the locker room to the actual pitch during a World Cup game where they played for the home team.
Virtual Destinations With Qantas
Earlier this year, Qantas introduced a pilot program to test out virtual reality goggles with first class travelers on board as well as in its executive lounges.
This Virtual reality campaign employed the use of Samsung Gear VR headsets to take traveler to various virtual 3D destinations, introduce new products from Qantas and for in-flight movies. This was the first time ever that an airline offered virtual reality on board.
Picturing the Universe
Paramount Pictures in association with IMAX, as part of the launch of the film Interstellar, used Oculus Rift Virtual reality glasses to promote the film.
The great experience gave the USA and Canadian viewers a chance to experience their first virtual look at the Endurance spacecraft of the film.
Virtual Marketing Reality has impacted greatly in Marketing. Some of its impacts are seen as such:
1. Video Marketing and Product Branding
Technology is one of the most effective approaches to marketing. Most online marketers have adopted VR marketing solutions as an innovative way to entice visitors to their websites ad further into contacting them.
Most recent research shows that 96 percent of B2b companies have engaged this type of marketing and of this mass only 73 percent acknowledged a positive ROI impact. The Virtual reality concept comes in handy in video marketing by offering a 3-D experience.
The experience itself changes how video marketing is done as it makes the videos more realistic than they already are. It is also quite customer motivating.
2. Product Testing
The VR technology has been very transformative on how most testing of products is conducted. As a marketing strategy, your company can use product testing to give customers a feel of the real thing.
Instances where VR come in handy is in productions such as Law and Architectural services which can not be given in portions like you would a pastry.
Thus professionals such as lawyers are able to show their customers how they intend to handle their client’s cases without physically having to visit through court room sessions.
Majority of organizations have also partnered with VR service providers in order to improve their customers travel experiences, their software as well as their clothing trials.
3. Faster Production Ad Lesser Time Spent At The Marketplace
Thanks to VR technology companies spend less time trying to understand the needs and demands of their clients.
For instance take the field of litigation, lawyers and prosecutors could save time in lawsuits by using VR to illustrate their cases using VR gadgets such as holograms.
Due to the above mentioned reasons marketing practitioners may use VR technology to present remote strategies that would remove both distance and time barriers.
4. Improved Sales
By improving the way companies engage with customers, brands get to attain higher sales. This is done by quickening the supply of goods and services.
Virtual Marketing is here to stay and with all the ways it impacts the marketing world, why not take it up?