Augmented reality examples marketers won’t want to miss


Sticking to what you know is comforting, but in the marketing industry, it won’t get your brand noticed. Here are game-changing augmented reality examples from brands who want to be seen.

AR in Retail

Sephora Virtual Artist

Sephora introduced a “Sephora Virtual Artist” iOS app that allowed customers to experiment with makeup products, finding the right tones and shades that complemented their own face. In addition, the app offered virtual makeup tutorials which used a face scanner to identify to the user where the correct place to apply products were located.

Sephora virtual makeup artist augmented reality
Sephora using augmented reality to create a virtual makeup artist

Here, Sephora used AR technology to create a beauty gadget for their those who struggle to find their complementary colors in addition to helping them experiment with new Sephora products using a virtual makeup artist.

Foot Locker’s augmented Christmas present

Last Christmas, Foot Locker released a Snapchat lens that allowed customers to virtually unbox and try on the new Air Jordans, which was scheduled to release the day after. Other augmented reality examples in shoe retail haven’t topped Foot Locker’s efforts.

Foot locker augmented reality example
Augmented reality example: Foot Locker uses Snapchat to launch their Air Jordan ad campaign

Foot Locker was able to generate excitement over their new product, turning a standard shoe release into an immersive experience. As customers explored the new Air Jordans on their phones and shared it with their friends and families, the AR Ad Campaign generated hype that transferred into sales.

Topshop’s AR Door

In their flagship store in Moscow, Topshop took a common shopping annoyance, long fitting room lines, and turned it into a genius marketing tool: a virtual fitting room. The AR Door used augmented reality to overlay Topshop dresses onto customers wishing to try them on.

Topshop augmented reality fitting room
Topshop uses augmented reality to create a virtual fitting room: the AR door

The AR Door was able to garner interest in Topshop’s new dress collection, converting window-shoppers into buyers.

AR in Home Improvement

Sotheby’s Virtual Home Stager

Real estate professionals took AR technology by storm, using it to convince prospective home buyers of purchase. Sotheby’s International Realty developed Curate, a virtual home staging app that fills empty rooms with interior decor.

Sotheby augmented reality app
Sotheby’s augmented reality mobile app that stages empty rooms

Using AR, Sotheby’s made the decision-making process of buying a home simpler. Home buyers no longer had to use their imagination of what the house could be; the AR app did it for them.

Envisioned and Measure by Lowe’s

Lowe’s took the problems of decorating a new home into their own hands by creating Measure, an app that accurately calculates dimensions, and Envisioned, an app that virtually renovates any room.

Lowe's measured app augmented reality
Lowe’s Measure mobile app that uses AR to calculate exact dimensions

“I had what I needed to make a decision and make my purchase”, a customer review tells a successful marketing story. Lowe’s was able to meet the needs of their customers while also advertising their products for purchase.

AR in Food

Kabaq’s augmented food menu

Of all augmented reality examples in the Food industry, Kabag arguably does it best. Instead of scoping out meals on neighboring tables, Kabaq gives their customers the ability to virtually place dishes on their table. In addition to viewing their dish, customers can visualize portion size, ingredients, and complimentary side dishes to go along with the order.

Kabaq augmented realty menu
Kabaq’s augmented reality menu that helps customers make better-informed decisions

Kabaq leverages AR technology to satisfy their audience and drive up their revenue per customer.

Taco Bell’s take on Cinco de Mayo

Snapchat’s lens makes it easy for advertisers to target their audience using augmented reality and a large social platform. In spirit on Cinco de Mayo, Taco Bell launched a humorous Snapchat lens that turned faces into large tacos shells.

Tacobell Cinco de Mayo Snapchat filter
Tacobell leverages augmented reality to market their brand during Cinco de Mayo

As users played with the Taco Bell’s lens, sharing it with friends for a laugh, the campaign reached 224 million views in only one day–turning a hilarious taco head into a branded product.

AR in Entertainment

AMC Theaters

Through their in-app augmented reality feature, AMC is able to turn traditional movie posters into ticket sales. As moviegoers pan over a movie poster, they can view additional information about the film and purchase a ticket.

AMC augmented reality app
AMC creates an in-app augmented reality feature that allows moviegoers to learn more about a marketed film and purchase a ticker

The marketing tactic taps into an already interested customer and nudges them further to see the movie.  

Universal Studios Orlando

Park visitors witness virtual dinosaurs roaming Universal Studios through broadcasted cinematic augmented reality–a memorable experience that strengthens the Jurassic Park franchise.

Universal Studios augmented reality experience
Universal Studios Orlando uses augmented reality to advertise their branded Jurassic Park franchise for park visitors

Engaging customers is a priority for entertainment companies given the nature of the industry. By placing families in the scenes of their favorite movie, Universal Studios has created an incomparable marketing space to immerse their customers with their branded characters.

The future of AR marketing and the path to join the game

A majority of the aforementioned augmented reality examples utilized a mobile application. Despite the success of these marketing campaigns, the future of AR marketing is even more promising.

With the support of web-based AR experiences of mobile and desktop devices, augmented reality marketing can now be distributed and shared across different mediums without requiring users to download an app.

We see the effects of web-based AR support as two-fold:

  1. The barrier to experience AR advertisements is low and brands will see higher viewability rates
  2. Being an easily distributed immersive experience, AR ads will allow brands to continue to market through traditional advertising streams but with an enhanced layer of engagement.

The best time to get started is now. Using OmniVirt, brands are able to create their AR Ad Campaigns from scratch using our products and services.

Request a demo today and join the game of AR marketing.


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