Let’s be real—traditional marketing is getting a little… flat. In a world where consumers are constantly bombarded with content, the brands making an impact aren’t just telling stories—they’re pulling people inside them. Enter Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR & AR)—the game-changers making marketing more immersive, interactive, and straight-up unforgettable.
If your brand is still stuck in the old ways of “post and pray” marketing, it’s time to level up. Let’s look at how some of the biggest names are using VR and AR to create experiences that actually matter—and how you can too.
1. IKEA’s "Place" App – Shopping Without the Guesswork
Raise your hand if you’ve ever bought a piece of furniture, dragged it home, and immediately realized… yeah, that was not the move. IKEA gets it. Their AR-powered “Place” app lets you virtually place furniture in your home before committing, solving one of the biggest friction points in online shopping: Will this even fit?
The result? Fewer returns, more confident customers, and a shopping experience that feels less like a gamble and more like a win.
2. Gucci’s AR Try-On – Because Looks Matter (Even Online)
Luxury fashion is all about the details. But how do you replicate that magic when customers can’t physically try things on? Gucci’s AR Try-On feature lets sneakerheads see how shoes look on their feet in real-time through their app.
Not only does this bridge the gap between digital and IRL shopping, but it also reduces hesitation, increases conversions, and keeps Gucci at the forefront of tech-driven fashion. Smart, right?
3. The New York Times’ VR Storytelling – Journalism You Can Step Into
Storytelling is evolving. The New York Times is proof, taking readers inside their journalism with VR. Their "Seeking Pluto’s Frigid Heart" project lets audiences virtually explore Pluto, turning a standard article into a full-blown interactive experience.
For brands, this means one thing: the more immersive the story, the deeper the connection. Whether you’re in media, travel, or education, VR storytelling can transform passive audiences into engaged participants.
4. Burger King’s "Burn That Ad" Campaign – Turning Competitors’ Ads Into Whoppers
Burger King knows how to play. Their "Burn That Ad" campaign in Brazil used AR to let users literally burn competitors’ ads on their phones. Once the ad was "burned," a free Whopper coupon was revealed.
It’s cheeky. It’s fun. And it’s a genius way to hijack attention while driving app downloads and engagement.
Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition (especially when free burgers are involved)?
5. Marz Brewing’s AR Packaging – When Your Product Is Also the Experience
Marz Brewing took interactive branding to the next level by turning their beer labels into AR experiences. Customers could scan the packaging to unlock exclusive music, art, and stories tied to the brew.
This is the future of product marketing—merging storytelling, design, and tech into one seamless brand experience. Because sometimes, the packaging should be just as exciting as what’s inside.
What This Means for Your Brand
These brands aren’t just using VR and AR for the sake of it—they’re solving real consumer problems, enhancing engagement, and making their marketing actually fun (which, let’s be honest, is rare).
So, what can you take from this?
Use AR to remove friction in the buying process (like IKEA & Gucci).
Turn storytelling into an immersive experience (hello, NYT).
Make engagement interactive and playful (Burger King did it brilliantly).
Find creative ways to blend physical and digital branding (Marz Brewing nailed this).
The brands leading the future are the ones willing to innovate. So, where does your brand fit into the new digital landscape? If you’re ready to make your marketing immersive, interactive, and unforgettable—we’re here to help.
Let’s build something people actually want to engage with.
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