As a 21st-century brand, are you ready for the virtual world and its latest trends? Yes, an entire new world, similar to our real one is awaiting brands and consumers alike. Popularly known as metaverse, its importance is being emphasized by leading tech giants and luxury brands from around the world. To succeed in the metaverse as a brand, taking the first step is very crucial.
The first step toward the metaverse includes promoting your brand through a virtual character in the 3D spaces. 3D digital spaces are where you can introduce your products, communicate with your consumers, and establish your digital stores. Virtual characters or YouTubers act as your brand spokespeople in the metaverse.
To give you a clear picture, consider our virtual space campaign with a virtual model, Hauli for the leading luxury brand campaign, Ralph and Russo. The results of the campaign are as follows:
- 19.4 Million Global views
- 490k Page visits
- Media Value Impact of 65.1 Million USD
This is the potential of marketing in virtual spaces using virtual avatars. To give you a deeper understanding of how virtual characters like VTubers help your brand, keep reading.
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Virtual YouTuber has been a popular term among the Japanese audience since 2016. Kizuna AI, the first virtual streamer, successfully garnered millions of viewers and subscribers since her debut on Youtube.
As the pandemic has limited everyone to their homes, this Vtuber trend is on the rise across the world. At present, there are more than 10,000 active virtual YouTubers. Brands are now looking for ways to include Vtubing into their buzz marketing activities.
Discover the following in this blog:
What is a Virtual YouTuber?
A virtual YouTuber uses a CG avatar to represent themselves on video-sharing platforms. These 3D cartoons are the digital renditions of the technician behind the screen where a virtual streamer copies the movements and facial expressions in real-time.
These online personas create content like playing video games, singing, dancing, and chatting with their viewers. The virtual YouTubers pre-record or live stream on platforms like YouTube, Bilibili, and Twitch. Popular virtual streamers include CodeMiko, Kizuna AI, Ash_on_LoL, and Gawr Gura
WANNA SEE SOME TECH?!! This is Miko being mocapped live by technician with facial tracking! pic.twitter.com/a3A5gLWANv
— CodeMiko (@codemiko) November 29, 2020
Why Your Brand Needs a Virtual Streamer?
Immersive Storytelling
Using virtual streamers brands can convey your message in an impactful way. Your brand can tell a story around the character that resonates with the product. Customers feel more connected than ever because these avatars portray life-like movements and chat with them.
Affordable
With technological advancement, AR and VR services have become affordable with 75% of top brands integrating VR into their content. When marketers introduce their products into virtual spaces, the communication with the audience becomes more interactive and personalized.
Brand Persona
Another great advantage when using virtual YouTubers is that brands can make all the personality traits, attitudes, and values align with your brand’s philosophies. These realistic representations of brand personas help your audience understand them clearly and improve brand loyalty.
Immersive Technology
According to a study by Futurum Research, consumers revealed that the acceptance of AR and VR is becoming part of the consumer process. Therefore, brands must leverage the latest technology to meet the evolving demands and values of customers.
Two-way Interaction
Brand communication is not one-way anymore. You can now employ or own virtual streamers to interact with their users. Vtubers and customers can have engaging conversations about products on the platforms.
Scandal-free Promotion
Unlike human influencers, virtual YouTubers are fully immune to any scandals on social media. Therefore, your brand has complete control over the looks, activities, and narrative of Vtubers.
Rise of the Metaverse
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Virtual YouTubers in Marketing
Food Industry
Food brand Nissin promoted its Curry Meshi with Virtual Youtuber group, Hololive. Popular Vtubers, Ozora Subaru, Minato Aqua, and Usada Pekora promoted the product together with their singing on the Hololive channel.
Entertainment Industry
SM entertainment’s latest girl group, Aespa, became the first-ever virtual K-pop group to debut. While the virtual members interact through online meetings, human members perform in offline events.
Streaming Services
Netflix attempted to tap into the appeal of VTubers through N-ko. It is a sheep-human lifeform avatar. Netflix is using this virtual avatar to introduce anime shows available on its site in a bid to attract anime subscribers.
Mobile Industry
The virtual celebrity Kizuna AI appeared in endorsements for SoftBank Corporation. She also appeared at the release event of iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max with the event video later released on its Youtube Channel.
Tourism Promotion
To promote tourism in an appealing way to younger viewers, the local government in Ibaraki, Japan appointed its first official virtual Youtuber. Hiyori Ibara, the spokesperson on Ibaraki TV, discusses the famous tourist spots in the area.
Chemical Industry
At a Kissa Laundry café, Vtuber Tsukino Mito joined the chemical and cosmetics company, Kao. Together they promoted the brand’s new color-safe bleach.
The Future of Virtual Youtubers in Content Creation
The Vtubing industry is expanding at an alarming rate. With developments in AR and VR, virtual avatars will become more humane. There may come a day where virtual streamers eclipse the real-life influencers. Thus, as a brand, you need to consider this rising trend while crafting your advertising messages to retain customer attention.
