@Newz_Junkie's Blog: November 2010

Augmented Reality or AR is the application of computer-generated imagery in live-video streams expanding on the real world.

If you have ever tried on clothing virtually via your computer then you have had a taste of what AR is. But it has evolved to so much more and is increasingly being implemented into our daily lives through gaming, TV, and in the promotion of products and services. Although it is still in it's infancy stages we now have the ability to point our wireless devices such as cell phones or iPads at points of interest and expanded graphic details or 3-D diagrams instantly appear on-screen. These graphics enhance our knowledge of the object being viewed and entertainment or promotional information is instantly received.

Ford Motor Co. implemented an AR campaign promoting the Ford Ka to get the attention of the hard-to-reach 20-somethings demographic.

Check it out here: http://wn01.com/awards/2009/BIMA/ka/crossmedia/
and in the video below.

Check out a few more examples of how the AR platform is changing the way we see reality.

Eminem Augmented Reality Screencast from Outside Line on Vimeo.

An increasing challenge for the advertising industry is it's competition for consumers' attention and time. Technology from DVRs, to wireless devices, to iPods have given consumers more choices and control over what they tune in or tune out. Consumers have become really good at mentally zoning out advertising. You can't presume that because advertising is all over the place that it's actually reaching everyone.

"Consumers encounter from 3,500 to 5,000 marketing messages per day, vs. 500 to 2,000 in the 1970s," says J. Walker Smith, president of consumer and marketing watcher Yankelovich. "There are so many ads out there that consumers actively avoid commercials today to an extent never before realized," says Dan Howard, professor of advertising and consumer behavior at Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business. "No matter how many more ads we put out there, it's not going to work ... because it's not registering."

So what are businesses to do to grab attention? Well some have gone to great lengths to be ultra creative. In fact, some are downright edgy! Take a look at these ads and tell me, wouldn't these make you sit up and take notice?