Posted on December 02, 2014

We've been championing the use of Augmented Reality (AR) in marketing strategies since its infancy and we always take a great interest seeing how the technology continually improves and advances each year.

A report, from Semico Research, has predicted that revenues related to AR will hit a massive $600 billion by 2016. With smartphones growing in power, and devices such as the Kinect in households around the globe, its getting increasingly easy to engage with Augmented Reality content.

But the key to successful AR is not to replace key content, but to enhance it. AR can be a key component to a marketing strategy and a great new tool to engage a once difficult to capture tech savvy audience.

AR campaigns have an average 'dwell' time of over 75 seconds which is a massive 2.5 times the average length of a standard radio/tv ad and consumers actively engage with your brand as opposed to passive forms of traditional advertising.

Examples of AR

One of our own first! We recently completed a project for local tourist attraction Dan Yr Ogof Showcaves (and model dinosaur park). In this case the client required the development of a new iPad app to provide additional supporting information about the attraction with several AR features.

You can try the main Tyrannosaurus Rex feature right now! Firstly, you will need to either download the Dan Yr Ogof iPad app or the free Junaio app.

Then, if you've download the official app, navigate to the TRex feature. If you've downloaded the Junaio app, scan the following barcode to quickly activate the right channel.

Then go ahead and point your camera at the billboard design below and check out what happens! Visit Dan Yr Ogof to see this life size. And you can read more about the Dan Yr Ogof Augmented Reality project here

Pepsi Max — Bus Shelter
A seemingly ordinary bus shelter located in Oxford Street, London was transformed into an interactive experience with the an augmented reality campaign from Pepsi Max. Scarily realistic screen surprises included: a meteor crashing, an alien tentacle grabbing people on the street, UFOs invading and a tiger prowling. It certainly left a memorable impression for the commuters. 

Lego — Kiosks
Danish construction toy manufacturers Lego, chose to use Augmented Reality in a number of kiosk installations enabling customers to gain a better sense of what the toys would look like when fully constructed. An innovative way to enhance the shopping experience.

IKEA — Catalogue
The Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA chose to bring life to their catalogue using Augmented Reality, select pages were marked with an AR symbol which customers could scan with the IKEA catalogue app and unlock more than 40 pieces of additional content which included everything from photo galleries and inspirational films to tools that show special functions of furniture in a completely new way. This kept the catalogue relevant throughout the year and received 3 times as much attention as the previous year. It also was the most talked about catalogue in decades and made headlines for turning advanced technology into a fun and easy tool for the masses.

'Into The Storm' — Digital billboard
Australian film-makers, Village Roadshow Pictures chose to use Augmented Reality to promote their latest film, 'Into The Storm'. Framed in a similar manner to a traditional movie poster street display, the billboard was actually a high-definition video screen and had onlookers 'blown away' by the lifelike footage which included: tornados, explosions, lightning blasts and cars hurled into the air.

Starbucks — Cup Magic
American coffee company, Starbucks adopted the use of Augmented Reality within its Christmas campaign where customers would download the 'Starbucks Cup Magic app' and point their smartphones at their Red Cups. Once completed, the Red Cups come alive and customers produce animations involving five characters including: an ice skater, a squirrel, a boy and his dog sledding, and a fox.

Penguin NAVI — Sunshine Aquarium
Using motion-capture technology, the aquarium was able to record images and walking patterns of penguins. The Augmented Reality technology allowed them to superimpose that image onto a user’s phone or tablet. In addition to that, GPS was used to figure out paths from various places in Tokyo toward the aquarium. This innovative app allows us to connect the world of wildlife with our material world through our smartphones. 

Invisibility 3D — App
Invisibility 3D with Augmented Reality lets you reach into virtual worlds with your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch — while you apparently look right through its screen, it lets you create games from real life objects.This  is something of which the future holds for gaming & virtual reality. 

Omaxe Hills Indore — Estate Agent App
'Omaxe Hills Indore' is India’s first Augmented Reality application for real estate. This app brings Omaxe Hills Mount View Apartments alive right through your smartphones and tablets. Experience 3D models, images & holographs popping out of the brochure. The element of being able to explore inside and outside of buildings before visiting them is something huge. Imagine a student wants to check out accommodation or a couple want to check-out hotels abroad, the opportunities are endless.

AR Soccer — App
This app allows you to perform keepy-ups with a virtual football, allowing the user to perform active movements with thin air in order to complete a challenge. This is good for health and well being. Also can be interactive anywhere in the world. Imagine playing football on your handheld device somewhere like ‘The Eiffel Tower’ it is amazing.  

Interested in discussing using Augmented Reality to bring your brand to life?
Contact us today.