Big brands turn to VR apps for immersive customer experience
Two major brands, Qantas and realestate.com.au, have rolled out virtual reality apps offering life-like immersive experiences, a move that signals the future of marketing and the growing demand for an interactive relationship with customers.
Qantas viewers can now download a virtual reality app from Start VR for an interactive and exploratory travel experience, and also showcases the services offered by the airline. Realestate.com users, meanwhile, can explore and view properties in virtual reality thanks to the launch of realestate VR.
The Qantas travel application gives viewers a first-person perspective, providing a multi-sensory glimpse of a range of ‘choose-your-own’ experiences including an inflight experience; a front-row view of a Qantas A380 jet from the tarmac and cockpit; and a virtual tour of the airlines’ First Lounge at Los Angeles International airport.
Also featured are experiences such as embarking on a scuba diving excursion through the coral reef; a helicopter tour then sailing through Whitehaven beach; panoramic views while climbing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and transporting to Kakadu National Park on a sunset river cruise then delving into the watering holes at Maguk and Gunlom Falls, the company said.
“For the first time, we are able to share the story of Australia to an international audience in a way that is more intimate, engaging and interactive than we have been able to tell it before,” said Start VR CEO and creative director, Kain Tietzel. “The amazing audio and visuals offer international travellers to Australia a new insight into our culture, heritage and local stories,” he said, indicating additional videos will be added in the coming months.
The app hosts a ‘book now’ button for iOS and Android devices so viewers can transform their virtual journey into a reality by purchasing a flight to the featured destination directly from the app. There are two modes to the app: Split screen for those who have a compatible headset or Google Cardboard, and 2D landscape for viewing directly on a smartphone.
The Qantas VR app is now available for iOS, Android and virtual reality platforms including Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.
“Qantas has continued to prove its commitment to innovation with the Qantas VR app. The airline is among the first to leverage our Startgate VR publishing platform which is quickly becoming the standard tool for brands and content creators to build their own virtual reality experiences,” Tietzel added.
On the property front, users can explore and view properties in virtual reality thanks to the launch of ‘realestate’ VR by realestate.com.au, which is available in the Google Play Store for use on Daydream View, Google’s mobile VR headset and controller.
REA group chief inventor, Nigel Dalton, said the company is excited to be offering Australia’s first property app on Daydream, which will change the way people experience and interact with property.
“Virtual reality has the unique ability to give us back time, which is the most precious commodity we have. realestate VR will create time for everyone, whether that’s property seekers, agents or property managers.”
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia, or check us out on Google+:google.com/+CmoAu
Marketers have made strides this year in sustainability with the number of brands rallying behind the Not Business As Usual alliance for action against climate change being a sign of the times. While sustainability efforts have gained momentum this year, 2020 is shaping up to be the year brands are really held accountable for their work in this area.
As a Marketer, the ‘Scotty from Marketing’ meme troubles me.
Clients and agencies can get stuck into a particular way of behaving and viewing the world, but there are ways to break out of our marketing echo chamber.
In this bonus last episode of this new podcast series, BrandHook MD, Pip Stocks, talks with former ANZ group general manager of marketing, Louise Eyres, talks about the importance of thinking like a customer and using intuition to solve customer painpoints.
It's a good idea. Customers really should control their data. Now I understand why it's important.
Elvin Huntsberry
Salesforce CMO: Modern marketers have an obligation to give customers control of their data
Instagram changes algorithms every time you get used to them. It really pisses me off. What else pisses me off? The fact that Instagram d...
Nickwood
Instagram loses the like in Australia; industry reacts positively
I tried www.analisa.io to see my Instagram Insight
Dina Rahmawati
7 marketing technology predictions for 2016
The saying is pretty tongue in cheek. It's not saying that marketers are bad people, nor that they don't take themselves seriously. There...
LYF Solutions
The trouble with Scotty from Marketing - The CMO view - CMO Australia
Given Scotty's failed track-record in the marketing realm the memes and the ridicule is very apt and is in no way a reflection on marketi...
denysf
The trouble with Scotty from Marketing - The CMO view - CMO Australia