The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is an annual trade show where companies debut their cutting-edge technology and innovation is unveiled. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at some of the products and trends from the show that will have a big impact for marketers in 2017.
First up, we explore the world of virtual, augmented and mixed reality and discuss how businesses will have to incorporate these realities to stay relevant in a new digital landscape.
Deciphering the Distinction Between Our Different Realities
Virtual Reality – By donning a headset, virtual reality seeks to replace our physical surroundings with a fabricated digital one. It doesn’t matter where you are physically, virtual reality can digitally transport you to faraway lands.
Augmented Reality – When you enhance your environment through computer-generated additions, you enter the world of augmented reality. The Pokémon Go craze of 2016 is an oft-cited example of augmented reality in action.
Mixed Reality – Mixed reality is the term to describe the intersection of the real world and virtual world—where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. It’s the next jump from augmented reality and was one of the key trends from the CES this year.
How to Integrate these Trends in Your Marketing Strategy
Integration of virtual, augmented and mixed reality into your marketing plan is limited only by imagination. As the technology driving these innovations becomes more widespread, it’ll be more common to see them used in marketing, but smart companies will start incorporating these new realities into their marketing mix today.
Facebook 360 Video and Virtual Reality – Earlier this month, Facebook launched their first dedicated virtual reality app—Facebook 360— for the Samsung Gear VR headset. Companies that create content for this new medium will have the advantage of being one of the early adopters and will have less competition for viewership.
Snapchat and Augmented Reality – Snapchat is an easy way to incorporate augmented reality into your marketing mix. Creating custom geo-filters or sponsored lenses can increase your brand’s awareness and target one of the biggest consumer demographics—millennials. In addition, the recent release of Snapchat’s World Lens is marketed as an augmented reality tool and is generating a lot of buzz. These lenses can be used in a variety of innovative ways to promote your brand and products.
Microsoft HoloLens and Mixed Reality – This exciting technology will allow you to interact with your customers in a way that goes beyond simple augmentation. The technology driving mixed reality is currently very expensive, but companies that start to think about how to incorporate mixed reality today will benefit when the technology becomes more affordable.
To learn how to harness future trends for your business today, contact an idig Marketing specialist.
idig Marketing is a full-service digital strategy and development firm that generates meaningful website traffic and drives high value leads to your organization. By optimizing organic content with paid advertising our custom methodology is adapted to meet your requirements and to exceed your objectives.
