How Second Realities are Changing Marketing As We Know It

August 18, 2017

Virtual reality has the ability to place you in a world that you never would have been able to experience in the comfort of your own living room.  For the past couple of years, virtual reality has been gaining steam because of it's immersive qualities.  Even though it is still a developing medium, marketers have started implementing it into their strategies.


Marketers have struggled in the past to get consumers' attention using banner ads, pre-roll video and pop-ups.  

Infographic displaying the increase of audience engagement from status updates to photos to video to 360 to VR. Image courtesy of Search Engine Journal

In an oversaturated digital landscape, there’s a better chance that audiences view ads as annoying rather than helpful.  The challenge has been to create content that engages the consumer so they don’t even realize that it is advertising.  Virtual reality becomes a solution to this problem.

Virtual reality has the ability to place you in a world that you never would have been able to experience in the comfort of your own living room.  For the past couple of years, virtual reality has been gaining steam because of it's immersive qualities.  Even though it is still a developing medium, marketers have started implementing it into their strategies.


Marketers have struggled in the past to get consumers' attention using banner ads, pre-roll video and pop-ups.  In an oversaturated digital landscape, there’s a better chance that audiences view ads as annoying rather than helpful.  The challenge has been to create content that engages the consumer so they don’t even realize that it is advertising.  Virtual reality becomes a solution to this problem.

Infographic displaying the increase of audience engagement from status updates to photos to video to 360 to VR. Image courtesy of Search Engine Journal

The proof is in this statistic: 62% of consumers say they would feel more engaged with a brand that creates a virtual reality experience.  When virtual reality invites users to interact with a brand in a new way, consumers' curiosity spikes and interaction rates increase.

The proof is in this statistic: 62% of consumers say they would feel more engaged with a brand that creates a virtual reality experience.  When virtual reality invites users to interact with a brand in a new way, consumers' curiosity spikes and interaction rates increase.


In addition, 71% of consumers believe a brand is forward thinking if it uses virtual reality technology in its marketing.


However, incorporating virtual reality with no real goals or objectives won’t be advantageous. You need to apply virtual reality technologies to a story that would be enhanced by it.  Industries that do well with virtual and augmented reality are travel & tourism, film, home design, education, gaming and event industries. In other words, virtual reality brings to life experiences that are engaging, personalized or useful and educational.

Infographic displaying the higher success rate of ads displayed in VR as opposed to

mobile and desktop devices. Image courtesy of Search Engine Journal

Some marketers have recognized the benefits of virtual reality and have utilized the technology already.  An example of successful virtual reality marketing is The Extraordinary Honey Bee film by Häagen-Dazs. This was a success because it used VR to deliver an experience that wouldn’t have been able to be delivered through regular video.  It also tells the brand’s story as Häagen-Dazs has been supportive of bee conservation for almost 10 years.  Another example of successful utilization of VR is Expedia’s VR film that takes you through Norway.  

This film delivers a unique experience and teaches users what to expect when traveling to Norway.


Marketing expert, Sarah Hill, made it clear when she said, “ The world is no longer flat.  The internet is fast becoming a place you step inside.  Just as you had to make your site responsive for mobile, so too will you have to make it responsive for virtual reality.”

Infographic displaying the higher success rate of ads displayed in VR as opposed to

mobile and desktop devices. Image courtesy of Search Engine Journal

Some marketers have recognized the benefits of virtual reality and have utilized the technology already.  An example of successful virtual reality marketing is The Extraordinary Honey Bee film by Häagen-Dazs. This was a success because it used VR to deliver an experience that wouldn’t have been able to be delivered through regular video.  It also tells the brand’s story as Häagen-Dazs has been supportive of bee conservation for almost 10 years.  Another example of successful utilization of VR is Expedia’s VR film that takes you through Norway.  This film delivers a unique experience and teaches users what to expect when traveling to Norway.


Marketing expert, Sarah Hill, made it clear when she said, “ The world is no longer flat.  The internet is fast becoming a place you step inside.  Just as you had to make your site responsive for mobile, so too will you have to make it responsive for virtual reality.”

Never miss an update from “The Shoppe,” sign up for our email list today!

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

Subscribe

We respect your privacy.

Post-It Note Stating Gen Z

Marketing Trend Tracker - Series 18

April 28, 2025
This installment of the Trend Tracker Series examines how the Gen Z effect is reshaping brand strategies around the world.

Size Matters: 2025 Social Sizing Guide

April 22, 2025
Perfecting your social media game starts with nailing one key detail: sizing. From profile pics to post images, every platform has unique size requirements. To make your content shine, you need to know these dimensions inside and out. Want to become a pro at perfecting post sizes? Check out these tips and tools to level up your social media game! Mastering social media sizes in 2025 doesn’t mean memorizing every pixel. Instead, cheat sheets are your best friend! Hootsuite’s updated 2025 guide offers a detailed list of image sizes across platforms, covering all your organic social media needs.

The Best Times To Post In 2025

April 21, 2025
The landscape of social media user activity continues to evolve in 2025, bringing new opportunities to fine-tune your posting strategy. Knowing when your audience is most active can help boost your organic reach. Across social media, the best time to post is on mid-week days, Wednesday and Thursday, from 7 am to 9am, 1 pm to 3 pm, and 7 pm to 9 pm. However, platforms tend to differ in what times are optimal. Check out the results from the following social media sites:

The Meta AI Evolution: Bots, Engagement, and the Future of Social Interaction

April 10, 2025
Remember the early days of the Internet? Digital bots were the unruly disruptors, the digital equivalent of that persistent telemarketer. They clogged feeds with spam, automated shady schemes, and spread misinformation like a digital wildfire. But fast forward to today, and those once-rogue bots have pulled off a serious glow-up, transforming into surprisingly valuable tools for sparking engagement, fueling creativity, and even offering a semblance of companionship. Leading this evolution is Meta, who is boldly rewriting the rules of how AI-driven bots function and, perhaps more significantly, how they are perceived. Now, AI is vying for our attention through comment suggestions, personalized virtual assistants, and a standalone app. Meta is planting its AI roots deeper than we could have possibly imagined just a few short years ago. So, how did we get here, and more importantly, what does it all mean for our digital lives?

The New Playbook: How NIL Deals Are Reshaping Sports Marketing

April 4, 2025
The NCAA Tournament isn’t just about buzzer-beaters and Cinderella stories—it’s a massive stage for brands. With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, marketing is shifting from traditional ads to direct athlete partnerships. Here’s how NIL is changing the game for brands and players alike.

Meta's New Scratch & Sniff Ads: A Game-Changer in Digital Marketing

March 31, 2025
Meta has just launched its latest feature—Scratch & Sniff Ads! Imagine scrolling through your feed and encountering an ad that doesn't just capture your attention visually, but engages your sense of smell.
More Posts