Top 10 Augmented Reality Advertising Campaigns… so far - PART 2

When I posted my previous Top 10 (Top 10 Augmented Reality Adveritising Campaigns… so far) there were almost immediately a host of new examples, and that trend has certainly showed no signs of slowing. There has however started to emerge a new trend which is far more beneficial to the end user, and that is that more and more brands are conjuring up useful ways to integrate augmented reality within their campaigns, with mobile playing a very big part in this. It has also occurred to me while collecting these examples, that while AR still remains quite gimmicky, it can be much more than that (as is hopefully shown in the below examples).


10. Financial Times
Okay, although this might not be the most creative use of AR, but to be showcased on the front cover of the FT, and be followed up with a full page article looking at how the twin challenges of digital media and the recession are forcing advertising agencies to rethink the way they do business, I think it just goes to show how far AR has come this year alone. Although the technology may have been around for a few years now, the fact that it is gathering this much momentum is quite exciting (and so worthy of a place in the top 10).





9. IBM
There have been many examples of events offering programs within mobile applications to help people get around, however I think this may be one of the most innovative created by IBM for this year’s Wimbledon. It involved an app for T-Mobile's G1 which provided information via AR for users to view stats related to the matches, as well as see what’s on sale in the stores and receive real-time Twitter feeds.





8. Paramount - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
To celebrate Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen due released in the UK in June, the ‘We Are Autobots’ Augmented Reality campaign was launched giving the user the opportunity to play the role of Optimus Prime, as well as find hidden messages from Bumblebee which giving users the chance to see exclusive Decepticon footage from the new film via AR. A great way of generating a bit of extra buzz around this much anticipated movie release.





7. Doritos-late-night
This example by Doritos offered consumers the opportunity to select one of two bands (Blink182 or Big Boi) to play a concert for them on the back of the packet. Again one of the more gimmicky example on this list I’m afraid, but still a nice continuation of the previous Doritos example from my previous post, allowing users a chance to grow familiar with the technology.





6. Mattel – Avatar Toys
Announced by Mattel at this year’s Comic Con to follow the much anticipated Avatar movie, a series of toys will be released, each incorporating augmented reality, marking it the first time AR will appear in a retail toy. The i-Tag technology created by Total Immersion will allow consumers to bring their toy to life, and battle others giving a new dimension to their experience.





5. Wrigley’s - 5 Gum
This example for the launch of Wrigley's 5 chewing gum in France, allowed users to mix together their own music using a number of AR symbols. Three symbols representing the different flavours linked to a certain track, with the distance from the main marker determining the volume and effects for each track. This was not only a very innovative user of AR, but I think encompassed the messaging and attributes of the brand.





4. Yelp / Lastminute.com
Once again I have had to tie to similar examples together. Both are, for me, two very good examples of AR on mobile providing a very useful function, but are available free and fully available apps in the Apple App Store.

Yelp
Review site Yelp offers an application that shows users where to go from restaurants to bars and so on. The excellent thing about this app however, is that the AR feature is actually hidden in the app, and only accessible if you shake three times (the phone not you). By doing this you unlock the Monocle feature which overlays the reviews onto the image shown via your camera on your 3Gs iPhone.





Lastminute.com
Something of an ‘under the radar app’ the NRU (pronounced near you) offers a similar experience to the Yelp application, using the features of the phone to not only direct users to the nearest bars and restaurants, but as you would expect gives Lastminute.com full reviews if you tap any of the available options in your area.





3. Glasses Direct
This is a very useful and helpful use of AR, which allows users to visualise the product before purchasing, more importantly it allows them to do this without needing to leave the comfort of your own home.





2. United States Postal Service - Priority Mail
This is another great example of useful ar, giving users the ability to check the size of their packages before sending, saving the user time, but also giving the customer a pleasant experience which they will in turn
associate with the brand.





1. KIA Soul
The “Go Hamster Go!” game released a couple of weeks ago marked the first use of augmented reality in a social media environment. Now I know that it was an Auto brand that topped my last top 10, with the BMW Z4 example, but I'm afraid Kia soul will have to top this one for me. Not only is this really enjoyable use of AR, but it is also in my view a fantastic example of how augmented reality is being integrated within the media environment.






Related Posts:

Top 10 Augmented Reality Adveritising Campaigns… so far
RubberDuckZilla: Augmented Reality Game
BMW Z4 “An Expression of Joy” - Augmented Reality

Woofer: Anti-Twitter macroblogging site

There is a new dog about town, he goes by the name Woofer (www.woofertime.com), and is here to help all of those users who have been sucked into irrelevant tweets, or are frustrated with shortening their profound thoughts of the day into 160 characters. Woofer is the new anti-Twitter 1400 character 'macroblogging' service, which offers everything you would find on Twitter, but with the benefit of a lot more words.





For all of those not convinced, check out known celebrities (Of which I'm not personally convinced) on Woofer (www.woofertime.com) such as Ryan Seacrest, and Jimmy Fallon who have already started posting regular Woofs, however as we know for our beloved early Twitter, authentication was never a certainty.





Although I am a very long way yet to be convinced, Woofer certainly may fulfil the need of a niche audience out there with more to say, and so in the words of Woofer "Be eloquent. Use adverbs. and DEA (don't ever abbreviate)".

Happy Woofing!

Happy 50th Birthday MINI!!

Yesterday every one's favourite British brand turned 50, celebrating fifty years since MINI first drove off the production line.



Pic 1 - MINI Email announcing 50 year birthday


To celebrate the birthday in the UK, all the best bits of the brand's fifty years have been pulled together into a nice little microsite which give fans of the brand a chance to look over the old ads, a competition, other firsts from 1959, as well as a more detailed look at the car's history, and all the best bits from the big birthday bash 'MINI United' back in May.



Pic 2 - MINI '50 year birthday' site


The birthday as expected has also been celebrated Worldwide with the release of the below series of videos to celebrate the milestone called “Rebel without Pause” which focuses on MINI fans and drivers all around the world and their personal experiences with the brand.



Video 1 - MINI 50 years - Rebel without Pause. (part.1)



Video 2 - MINI 50 years - Rebel without Pause. (part.2)


Related Posts:
MINI United Celebrates 50th Birthday
MINI IPhone App - Openness
MINI Clubman Viral - 'Have you seen that?'

T-Mobile flashmob reenacted for Movie

On Sunday last week (16th August), people passing through Liverpool Street station must have thought they were going mad when a reenactment of the T-Mobile flashmob was performed for new film St Trinian's 2: The Legend Of Fritton's Gold.



Pic - St Trinian's 2 Flashmob Liverpool Street Station (Photo Credit: Daily Mail)


Led by Girl's Aloud's Sarah Harding and followed by an army of schoolgirls the scene mirrors the T-Mobile flashmob ad recorded in January (Shown below). This is a really interesting take on an idea, which not only has had massive success virally, but has now led to an appearance in the movies.


Video - T-Mobile - Flashmobbing Liverpool Street Advert


Related Posts:

T-Mobile - Flashmobbing Liverpool Street Advert

Avatar Worldwide Trailer Reveal Launch Advert

Today sees the launch of probably one of the most anticipated movie trailers ever, as James Cameron's Avatar has its Worldwide trailer release today (Online at 3pm, and in selected cinemas from around midday). After creating a media storm at San Diego's Comic Con, and drip feeding fans with images from then on, commuters were greeted today with full page ads in Metro showcasing the release of the 15 minute trailer.



Pic - Avatar Trailer Launch Advert


For those interested the official movie website can be found here: www.avatarmovie.com

Megan Fox 'Viral' Public Service Announcement

To promote the new horror film Jennifer's Body, Megan Fox stars in this cool take on a public service announcement, telling high school kids to be themselves no matter what it entails.



Video - Megan Fox viral public service announcement


Enjoy!

Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App

This is a very cool app which has been put together by Total Immersion for the Kia Soul. The 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App uses augmented reality in a very clever and viral way. For once players do not need their mouse, or keyboard come to that, as your head is the controller during this game. According to their press release the “Go Hamster Go!” game marks the first use of augmented reality in a Kia application for a social media environment, and can be found at www.facebook.com/kiasoul under the Go Hamster Go! tab.



Pic - Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App


Each hamster is wearing a coloured t-shirt mirroring a Kia Soul colour, which when the user drops a hamster into the vehicle, the vehicle morphs into that colour. The exit window lists the final score – and the cool features the user managed to add to the Soul. Users can post their scores on the Soul leaderboard and can challenge friends to compete and beat their scores.



Video - Kia Soul - 'Go Hamster Go' Facebook App


I really like this example, not only is it innovative and fun, but it is simple and is sitting on Facebook! The user is not expected to go elsewhere, or dragged to a brands website, they can play just a click away from their profile... genius. Plus you have the added viral element of Facebook, which is where I would expect this app to excel.


HT to Barry and Total Immersion for the info


Related Posts:

Top 10 Augmented Reality Adveritising Campaigns… so far
RubberDuckZilla: Augmented Reality Game
BMW Z4 “An Expression of Joy” - Augmented Reality