Augmented Reality Will See Exponential Growth Within Marketing

The marketing industry is constantly adapting to incoming trends and technologies. Businesses have a multitude of mediums to pick from when trying to reach a wider audience, but in such a saturated market, it can be difficult to stand out. Companies are constantly looking for unique ways to grab the attention of consumers, and currently, one of those ways is through the use of augmented reality (AR).

If you are unfamiliar, augmented reality is when a device with a camera is used to add animations, 3D models, and other computer generated images to the screen with the intent to alter how the user is viewing the real world. AR technology has a wide range of uses for the average consumer. For example, AR can be used to help you preview what furniture might look like in your home before you buy it. The technology can also be experienced in a more playful setting such as Snapchat face filters or even something more grand like Pokemon Go, which was an international phenomenon. With so many uses, augmented reality truly opens up the opportunity to create an infinite amount of memorable experiences for consumers. In fact, companies like Pizza Hut, ASOS, and Bacardi have already taken a stab at it.

Pizza Hut has decided to tackle augmented reality by partnering with Bandai Namco, the game developers behind Pac-Man. The companies have teamed together to create what they are calling “Newstalgia” by developing a playable Pac-Man game on select pizza boxes from Pizza Hut. Users can scan a QR code with their smartphones and play a 3D AR version of the classic arcade game. The campaign’s goal is to push the sales of the pizza joints new item called the $10 Tastemaker while simultaneously creating the nostalgia of playing arcade games while eating Pizza Hut like many might have done in person back in the day. The technology has allowed Pizza Hut to create an extremely unique experience for consumers, and has grabbed the attention of many people, myself included.