Imagine if you could see how a new sofa would fit in your living room or how a different lipstick would suit your skin tone before you bought them. That’s the power of Augmented Reality (AR) marketing - it lets you experience products or services in a realistic and immersive way. The global AR market is expected to reach $97.76 billion in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 48.6% between 2021 and 2028. AR marketing can do more than just show you things; it can also teach, guide, and inspire you.

In this edition, join Cool Gai as he dives into a different world where anything is possible and learn how brands use AR technology to market their products, connect with their audience and even give you discounts!

Yes, AR is more than just about catching fictitious creatures on your phone. Your favourite moo-dy Gais are here to show you just that.

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FRESH GAI LOOKS AT WHAT’S THE LATEST IN AR MARKETING

Selfies + Science = skincare success!

Did you know that Myntra has launched a skin analyser tool that can help you find the best beauty products for your skin? It’s true! All you need to do is take a selfie and answer a few questions about your skin concerns. The skin analyser will use machine vision technology to map your face and detect your skin type, oiliness, breakouts, and more. Then, it will give you a skin health report, customised skincare tips, and a range of product suggestions from over 1,400 brands on Myntra.

They even brought in Anushka Sharma to promote it!

… excuse us while we analyse our skin.

A unique blend of art, technology and savings

Croma, India’s leading omni channel electronics retailer from the Tata Group. Created an amazing Republic Day campaign where it offered amazing deals and discounts on a wide range of products from top brands.

But that’s not all!

Croma also brought a unique and innovative experience with its ‘Constitution of Joy’ campaign. By scanning QR codes on stunning artwork celebrating India's diversity, customers were transported into a virtual world. There, hidden Indian flags held coupon codes redeemable at Croma stores. The virtual treasure hunt thrilled customers as they delved into the vibrant landscape, adding an element of adventure to their shopping experience.

And while not related to the AR experience, Chroma’s ad to promote the campaign was truly heart-touching. Give it a watch here:

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BRAINY GAI  SHOWS US HOW TO PUT AR TO GOOD USE

Gotta Brush ‘Em All!

Do you love Pokémon? Do you want to catch them all? Then you need to try Pokémon Smile, a new AR app that makes brushing your teeth a fun adventure. Pokémon Smile uses your phone’s camera to track your face and show you how to brush your teeth properly. 

You can wear a cute Pikachu hat and see yourself in the mirror. But watch out! There are evil bacteria that want to ruin your teeth and your Pokémons. You have to brush them away and save your Pokémons from danger. The more you brush, the more Pokémons you can catch. There are over 100 Pokémons to collect, so you’ll never get bored. Pokémon Smile has been a huge hit with kids and parents alike. It has over 500,000 downloads and thousands of positive reviews.

How to launch your product in style

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to attend a phone launch event in augmented reality? Well, OnePlus made it possible with their new flagship phone, Nord. 

OnePlus Nord was unveiled in a stunning AR event that was broadcasted live via an app. The event was hosted on an AR stage and Nord was shown in 3D, letting users view it from all angles. Users could also see an exploded view of the phone, showing its internal components and design. 

After the launch, users could explore and check out the features and specifications of the new smartphone. This is the first time a phone was launched entirely via AR, attracting more than 100,000 viewers.

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QUIRKY GAI EXPLORES THE ‘OUT OF THIS WORLD’ MARKETING CAMPAIGNS  

Buring your competition

The rivalry between the two fast food giants, Burger King and McDonald’s is probably the most well-known.

But what do you do when your competition has a 4x bigger budget than you? You burn down the competition!

Burger King created an AR feature for its app that allowed users to set fire to any McDonald’s ad they saw and get a free Whopper coupon in return. The campaign was called "Burn That Ad" and it was launched in Brazil in 2019. It used augmented reality to create a fun and daring experience for the Burger King app users, who could see McDonald’s ads go up in flames on their smartphone screens. The campaign also promoted the BK Express service, which allowed customers to pre-order and avoid lines.

The campaign also won several awards at the D&AD Awards 2020, including a Graphite Pencil for Experiential Use of Realities and Wood Pencils for Direct Response/Digital, Cohesive Use of Physical & Digital, and Out-of-Home

Really unbelievable

Imagine waiting for a bus and seeing a giant robot, a meteor crash or a tiger on the loose. That’s what Pepsi did to some unsuspecting Londoners. They transformed a bus shelter into an interactive screen that showed these and other unbelievable scenes. The prank was part of their campaign for Pepsi Max, the drink that has maximum taste but no sugar. How is that possible? It’s unbelievable, just like the things they showed on the screen. Pepsi wanted to surprise and delight people with a taste of the unbelievable. Did they succeed? You decide.

Why we should look out for AR marketing

Imagine if you could see the world through a different lens, one that reveals the hidden benefits and features of a brand. That’s what AR marketing does. It uses Augmented Reality to craft immersive and interactive stories that connect the brand with its customers, stakeholders, and society. AR marketing can make customers feel more engaged, loyal, and satisfied by offering them tailor-made, innovative, and unforgettable experiences that highlight the brand’s unique value.

It can boost your product discovery and trial:

AR marketing can help you attract new customers or retain existing ones by letting them explore your products or services in a fun and interactive way. 

It can enhance your customer education and decision making:

AR marketing can help you provide valuable information, instructions, or feedback to your customers that can help them learn more about your products or services, or make smarter choices. 

It can create emotional connections and brand advocacy:

AR marketing can help you create memorable and positive experiences for your customers that can make them feel happy, surprised, or curious. It can also encourage them to share their experiences with others through social media or word-of-mouth.