Snap's Maps + More VR Developments Coming Out of Cannes

Jun 17

As a yellow ghost watched over Cannes, this was a big week for the entertainment biz's biggest disruptor-- you know, that thing your brand is tip-toeing around trying... virtual reality and augmented reality. Here's the skinny on what went down this week:1. Snap is slaying it -- Snap Maps, Ferris Wheel, Spectacles V. 2 may include AR + Spectacles partnership with Royal Caribbean2. YouTube loves VR -- LA Studio/original series and 360-analytics3. IKEA will be Apple’s AR launch partner4. Nokia using VR to revamp its brand5. Sony announces Spider-Man VR experience6. Ogilvy says “AR is the new QR” -- branded AR experiences are a popular, standard offering7. And more...

Snapchat's new maps feature shows you where your friends areBusiness Insider -- Alex Heath Takeaway: Augmented reality just found a practical use case that has a cool factor + high chance of catching fire. Another piece of Snap’s ambitious AR puzzle just came into focus.

YouTube’s New L.A. Studio Will Help Creators Crank Out VR VideosAdweek -- Lauren JohnsonTakeaway: LA is at the forefront of VR growth, and Google/YouTube’s investment in three branded VR series with Major League Baseball, Vogue magazine and Discovery Travel is a BFD. Related:MarketingDive: YouTube heatmaps give clearer view into VR, 360-degree video analytics iPhone's futuristic AR dream starts with IkeaCNET -- Gordon GottsegenTakeaway: A very practical and global use of AR -- IKEA says, "Augmented reality and virtual reality will be a total game-changer for retail in the same way as the internet… Only this time much faster." Known as a cellphone maker, Nokia is trying to reinvent itself through VR and digital wellnessDigiday -- Yuyu Chen Takeaway: Nokia is aligning with VR as a way to modernize and revamp the brand-- on trend with brands using VR as a marketing stunt, but on a larger scale.Related:The Verge: A new startup from Nokia employees is trying to fix VR's biggest technical problem Sony Pictures announces Spider-Man: Homecoming VR experienceVentureBeat -- Dean Takahashi Takeaway: Spider-Man suits up for world domination in VR with Sony Pictures-- superheroes are trendsetters, and coupled with Sony/Marvel, VR is a trend with staying power. “AR is the new QR:” Lessons in interactive mobileDigiday Takeaway: One of advertising’s most-trusted names-- Ogilvy-- is a huge fan of augmented reality-- they’re pushing clients to AR so much that it’s becoming a standard offering.