7 ways to use augmented reality in marketing today

Paula

How to boost your marketing strategy with augmented reality technology

Augmented reality gives businesses a chance to create memorable experiences that spark emotional responses connecting people even more to a brand.

In this article, we share innovative ways to reach and catch the attention of your target audience using augmented reality.  

1. Brand storytelling

It is well known among the marketing community that brand values play an important role in the purchasing decision. But, truth be told, not everybody has the interest or the time to go through a company’s about and history pages. 

That is why HOW you tell your story really matters if you want to get your message and values across. AR provides an attractive option. Check the brand story-telling AR campaign created for Jim Beam® to celebrate its 225-year story:

Jim Beam decided to create the AR experience directly on the product itself, allowing users to engage with the story instore or while enjoying the beverage at home. The perfect opportunity to inform, entertain, and engage your audience while telling your brand’s awesome story.

2. Product demonstration

Using augmented reality for demonstration purposes is especially efficient for products that have complex functions that are hidden to the naked eye. But it isn’t limited to that.

Instead of transporting heavy and cost-intensive connectivity equipment to trade shows or to customers all over the world, Lufthansa Technik created an augmented reality demo to allow customers to see what happens inside the radome humps on top of modern aircraft.

AR technology also allows potential buyers to better appreciate the value of a product by viewing and understanding the full scope of its functionality in realtime and in the correct position. Nissan LEAF did this to help market and boost sales of their electric car in a retail store in Brazil.

Object Tracking augmented reality technology allows the device to scan and recognize the car, overlaying digital explanations of impressive car functions, such as the simplicity of the electric engine, the e-Pedal function, battery charging explanations, automatic pilot demonstrations, and more.

3. Product visualization

Allowing potential buyers to view a product is a decisive factor in the buying decision process, however, allowing users to have a realistic view of a product digitally placed in their environment is an inarguably a plus. 

Many are already familiar with the furniture visualization AR apps created by Roomle and IKEA. However, there is more than furniture-placement that can be done with AR.

To better present their products, the electrical installation company, Busch-Jaeger, used augmented reality to enable users to digitally view their product range.

AR’s version of “try before you buy” helps companies reduce return rates and offers the shopper more security in the buying process. 

4. Customer engagement marketing 

By inserting interactive AR content into your marketing strategy, businesses can increase the engagement customers have with the brand. And that is precisely what the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion did to boost visitor interaction and satisfaction, and have more visibility and sales due to social media sharing. 

Outside the Insectarium, visitors position their device over a large mural to watch how a monarch butterfly emerges from its chrysalis in augmented reality with a call to actions inviting users to the institution’s website.

Visitors could also take a photo with a virtual butterfly to save and share on social media.

5. Out-of-home advertising

Moving away from the traditional out-of-home (OOH) advertising categories such as billboards and highways, a new format is arising with augmented reality: Interactive AR building façades

Thanks to Scene Tracking AR technology, marketers and brands now have the opportunity to transform the actual business premises into an interactive AR trigger. 

How? The mumok museum in Vienna used AR to transform the institution’s building into a digital and interactive stage, giving the public an (almost) X-Ray view of what’s going on inside.

OOH was taken to a whole new level by allowing the museum to innovatively share information, advertising their offerings directly on the building itself.

6. Interactive print ads

Printed advertising mediums can be traced back to ancient civilizations. But, a lot has changed since the time of the papyrus. With AR, marketers can turn print materials into portable sales channels.

Check how Germany’s largest travel magazine had 95% of its app users accessing AR experiences within their printed editions. 

By expanding the magazine experience with AR, click rates increased, while destinations, tour operators, airlines, and hotel partners could innovatively advertise directly on the magazine to create a more intensive brand and product experience.

Additionally, businesses can use augmented reality to add some flair to company flyers, posters, interactive business cards, and other branded marketing and sales materials.

7. Instore navigation and shopping 

Drive foot traffic to stores and assist customers with navigation inside business premises. Direct users to sales and products you wish to highlight and set up Point of Interest campaigns to emphasize sales, endcaps, individual products, and more. 

Watch the video below to view how “PeekPerks” brought augmented reality to retail.

With AR, marketers can help boost sales and build customer loyalty while providing informative, engaging, interactive, helpful, and personalized content to shoppers.

Wikitude Augmented Reality SDK

Want to create an augmented reality experience that will boost your marketing strategy? Contact our team of AR experts to discuss how you can get started!

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