Augmented reality (AR) is still a new and innovative technology, but big brands that have incorporated it into their advertisements in newspapers and magazines have shown that augmented reality is the way of advertising in the future. Many of the most popular AR ads are used by companies like Apple and IKEA, and since they set the standard for successful marketing and advertising, it’s worth it to consider the benefit of augmented reality for yourself. Many brands are under the false impression that augmented reality technology is of no use to help them with their print marketing goals; however, the print and augmented reality worlds work well together and can maximize your return. Here’s what you need to know about how augmented reality drives newspaper and magazine advertising and how you can get started on creating AR ads for your brand.
Bring Products to Life from Print
Before making a purchase decision, savvy consumers look for as much information as possible. In brick-and-mortar stores, consumers will touch, try on, or explore a product to receive this research, but what can they do when they can’t physically interact with the product? Augmented reality allows for an interactive and engaging experience that brings a product to life right out of a print ad or catalog.
Take Porsche’s print campaign for example. There’s not much that compares to taking a vehicle for a test drive, but this company allows readers to experience what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat with a print ad that uses augmented reality. When readers scan the ad, they can explore every angle of the vehicle’s interior in 360 degrees.
Turns Print into a Sales Channel
Now, more than ever before, retailers are choosing an omnichannel sales strategy. In fact, research suggests that this is a powerful move as 73% of consumers use these multiple channels when shopping for products or services. Augmented reality can boost the print medium as a sales channel by providing consumers the “scan to purchase” options directly off the page.
Enhances the Reader Experience with Digital Content
By using augmented reality technology, you can create unlimited opportunities for your customers to unlock digital content from your print ad. You can connect them with brand-new content or content you have created in the past. This content may include videos, games, competitions, and more. Augmented reality is a powerful way to increase the value of your ad in magazines, books, or any printed material by creating memories and unique experiences for the reader.
For example, this technology can allow your readers to scan the ad to bring movie characters to life, find their closest celebrity match, or unlock videos of how certain things are made.
Helps Generate Leads
Another way that augmented reality can benefit you is to generate leads by engaging audiences on mobile at trade shows and events. By scanning an image on your business card, printed handout, or direct mail on their phone, they can learn more about that person, place, or object. You can entice them with helpful tips and information that show them how your product or service can improve their life.
Contextualize
Augmented reality lets you deliver more information about your product and services without filling up the limited space of print material. For example, a bag of coffee beans only has so much space to tell the reader about how authentic and flavorful it is. It’s very unlikely that a consumer will read an entire essay at the back of the package. However, by incorporating augmented reality into the packaging, consumers can scan it and learn about the entire back story of the roasting process and ethics behind the company.
Incentivizes People to Interact
Since augmented reality is such an exciting and new technology, simply using it in your print marketing piece gives readers an incentive to interact with your digital channels. Take it a step further by adding coupons and promotions, and they will be even more likely to engage. Augmented postcards allow the reader to unlock a personalized deal or offer, which encourages them to interact with your brand and boosts your conversion rate.
Let North American Media Help You with Your Marketing Campaign
If the thought of using augmented reality in your print advertising campaign is overwhelming or confusing, you’re not alone. Many brands miss out on the benefits of an omnichannel solution because of a lack of understanding of how the two mediums can work together. If you need assistance connecting your print advertising campaign with the digital world to increase your leads and improve your brand reputation, our marketing agency can help.
North American Media Inc. is a highly reputable and progressive consumer acquisition, retention, and monetization media company. We can help you create a robust and effective marketing campaign with our experience with sales, marketing, and cutting-edge information technology support. Not only will we help you acquire new customers at a price you can afford, but we will also boost your marketing campaigns, so it is highly effective and gets you the leads you want.
Our services also include direct mail marketing, list & insert brokerage, data solutions, list fulfillment, list management, digital media and radio, TV & Podcast media. As one of the industry’s fastest-growing direct marketing agencies with clients in the U.S., Canada, and internationally, we look forward to helping you make the most of this technology as you build your print media campaign. For more information on how we can help grow your business contact us today!
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