Virtual reality heads North
YORKSHIRE marketing firm The Wrapped Agency is working with virtual reality creators VISR VR in a deal to promote its technology for commercial use in the North.
The partnership aims to target local organisations across sectors including property, healthcare, entertainment, health and safety, training, food and retail.
It will include a VIP event hosted by both firms on July 13 to launch the technology to the Yorkshire business community.
VISR was set up in 2014 by Louis Deane and Lindsay West and creates 360degree and CGI visual content, white labelled apps and branded VR headsets that can be used with smart phones anywhere.
VISR already works with Google, Microsoft, Taylor Wimpey, RBS, Coca-Cola and MacDonald’s to bring everything from new homes and offices to food and film experiences to life.
Lindsay West, VISR director, says: “Working with The Wrapped Agency in the North as our official marketing partner will help us to showcase what we can do and the possibilities now available to brands out there.”
Louis Deane, CEO at VISR VR, added: “It’s not often you get to say truthfully that a technology is going to ‘change everything’ but this really is. Although virtual reality has been around for a while, at VISR we help companies get results with their VR ventures. We’ve already had major success bringing VR to major brands in London and we’re now bringing virtual reality to the North. Our HQ at Hull University means we have access to some of the country’s best developers through our partnership with the university, which has a 20 year pedigree in VR technology.”
Rachel Clark, brand director at The Wrapped Agency, said: “Anyone that thinks virtual reality for business isn’t serious only has to look at Facebook’s $1.2billion acquisition of Oculus Rift to see that its potential is only just starting to be explored.”
She adds: ”From a marketing perspective, virtual reality is an extraordinary way to bring brands to life. The technology has come of age and organisations getting involved now have many opportunities. Whether it’s for property developers looking to promote a new building, or healthcare providers needing to train staff abroad in the intricacies of a heart bypass, VR gives people an unprecedented level of access.”
Mr Deane adds: “You can create immersive scenarios in people’s offices or in their front room at home. It’s really the holy grail of interactive brand experience and we’re seeing that virtual reality is of great interest to forward thinking marketing directors because of its appeal for consumers, and its position as a transformative communication media.”
Ms Clark adds: “Our partnership with VISR VR, which is a Microsoft Ventures alumni and a Google cardboard supplier, will help us to offer clients the tools to communicate brand stories on an intimate, immersive and interactive level. It’s something that flat screen marketing just can’t compete with.”
