2021 looks set to be another year of challenge.

Business owners, in particular, have been hit hard by the pandemic. It has forced us to adapt, think more creatively, and put a bigger focus on digital development to engage our customers amidst minimal contact.

Data shows us that 70% of marketers plan to increase investment in online video, but 64% agree that their advertising suffered from a lack of distinctiveness during quarantine (Anyone?). In other words, business owners and marketers need a heavy dose of creativity to mitigate this bottleneck.

While traditional marketers are still struggling to slice a bigger market pie by SEO, content marketing, and social media, customers are hungry for fresh content that can actually engage them. Especially when people spend increased time at home, they crave mesmerizing entertainment, education, and simply easier experiences.

Augmented Reality (AR), among other digital disruptions, is here to bridge that gap.

AR is much more than just overlaying camera images with projected 3D objects. It is capable of delivering more exciting and appealing gratifications that are not limited to space.

Thanks to more robust cellular networks, virtual has become the new normal. There has been a total of 598 million active AR devices by 2021, and it’s projected to rocket to 2.4 billion by 2023. Since AR will move into the mainstream, it’s no longer a niche technology possessed by IT specialists. AR is getting more accessible and affordable to business owners for sales, marketing, branding, and CRM purposes.

Here are how some brands – a fraction of the pioneers – achieve a high return of investment (ROI), using AR:

1. AR in the Automotive Industry

Mercedes-Benz Taiwan ran an online-to-offline campaign with Facebook Augmented Reality ads to enhance brand awareness. Tapping the smartphone cameras of those who visited its car exhibit, the video ad superimposed a series of immersive AR effects on the screens – in return for three times more participation and 100,000 impressions.

Image source: https://www.ptc.com/en/case-studies/mercedes-augmented-reality-customer-support 2. AR in the Toy Industry

Lego has been taking initiatives to embrace tech trends and differentiate itself in the traditional toy industry, from robotics to mobile apps. To make brick building more fun, it has launched an AR app that turns their child's phone or tablet into a ghost-hunting device.

"We launched LEGO® Hidden Side with a theme that seamlessly blended building and augmented reality. We will continue to invest in exploring innovative ways to build and play," said Niels Christiansen, CEO, the Lego Group.

Image source: https://www.lego.com/en-gb/themes/hidden-side/ar-games 3. AR in the Retail Industry

One of the most important retail applications of AR for users is “try before you buy.” Gap released its DressingRoom app to capitalize on the technology, allowing users to try out a dress on a virtual mirror. Shoppers can try and pick an outfit that best fits their sizes with this app, reducing the spiking return rates (up to 40%).

Image source: https://vimeo.com/198481246 4. AR in the Beauty Industry

Mac, the cosmetic leader, introduced a virtual try-on feature, which lets customers “put on” different products through live videos and pictures before making a purchase. The fully personalized, realistic stimulation drives a “strong surge” in its global online business

Image source: https://www.perchinteractive.com/client-showcase/sephora 5. AR in the Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry

Coca-Cola has an issue to solve: Its B2B sales department needs to help retailers visualize how beverage coolers would look and fit in their stores. AR, again, kicks in. Its AR app stimulates soft drink coolers of different designs and sizes to the clients, streamlining its sales pipeline.

Image source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ht2Vvr4nio&t=70s

Be equipped, and get your business ready for the AR boom.

You can tap the power of digital disruptions to thrive in the pandemic rather than risk being left behind and fall flat with your marketing strategy.

By the way, you don’t need to be a big brand to make AR work for you. In WhereAR, we’ve executed a plethora of AR campaigns for NGOs, universities, and governments, aside from multinational commercial banks. We turn AR into viable, accessible, and affordable solutions that meet the specific commercial needs of any business.

Understand more about our success stories.