This post originally published on Organic’s Threeminds blog: http://bit.ly/5NyIm4
Tobi.com — one of my favorite online retailers, originally set apart from the pack with its “Chat 1-to-1 With a Stylist” feature — just rolled out an augmented reality dressing room experience in which shoppers can virtually “try on” items using their webcams and share snapshots with friends on Facebook for feedback. It’s only available for a selection of women’s clothing right now, but their blog hints at eventual expansion.
I’ve been a critic of many companies’ AR offerings, which often seem to be created just to get on the AR bandwagon, but this is one example of AR adding a level of utility to the overall experience. Click on the “try it on!” banner on the right side of the homepage to check it out, or read more about it on their blog.
http://www.tobi.com
http://www.tobi.com/editorial/tobi-blog/1039-try-it-on-in-our-virtual-dressing-room?p111609
Knowing a little bit about sanofi pasteur’s flu vaccines from some of the ad work Saatchi’s done, I found the new Great Flu game floating around on the Internet pretty interesting.
Partially funded by GlaxoSmithKline but developed by Dutch researchers, the game is addictive, if a little incomplete. I have to suspect that GSK’s involvement in the development of the game gave it some not-so-objective creative weigh-in so, inevitibly, there are already plenty of conspiracy theories surrounding the game.
At it’s worst the game may be a “propaganda tool,” but at it’s best it could be an effective viral form of a Public Service Announcement (PSA), or at least an “effective way to communicate serious news” to children. Regardless, I think we can all agree it’s a fairly well-made, viral, informative time-waster that’s already gotten plenty of attention. And GSK’s marketing team knows a good opportunity when they see one.
- The good: Addictive, informative game/viral PSA. Smooth nonbranded marketing effort by GSK.
- The bad: Information may be incomplete, or even a bit skewed. Smooth nonbranded marketing effort by GSK.
- The ugly: Gradients. Everywhere.
