How Augmented Reality Can Be Used In Public Relations

Augmented reality blends virtual worlds with the real world by overlaying generated graphics and audio onto the real world. You may ask yourself, have I seen AR in the real world? The answer is more than likely yes. 

So many brands and companies have begun using AR to promote or even use it in their campaigns. For example, Pepsi Max wanted to create an interactive campaign that would share their brand’s message of, “Live For Now.” They developed an Augmented Reality experience that turned a bus stop window, where normally an ad would go, and put augmented unbelievable scenarios into the real world there instead. 

This campaign was a huge success. They reached over eight million people and 95% of impressions and PR coverage was earned media. Sales for Pepsi Max after this campaign went up 35% and on top of that, they were recognized for over 20 awards. 

Another way AR can be used in PR is when Studio Lucasfilm developed an AR app to promote the second season of the popular Disney+ series “The Mandalorian”. The app allows you to visualize some of the most popular characters from the first season of the series. The experience makes use of the newest AR technologies, enriching the environment with snow and other special effect while finding yourself on the planets from the Star Wars universe. Sadly, this campaign was only available for people who have a Google phone and some Androids.

Overall AR is a great tool to use in your PR campaigns because it can help you  to create more personalized ad experiences, revolutionize the way companies tell stories, put audiences in other people's shoes, deliver captive audiences, position brands as innovative and connect with tech-savvy audiences.