Real life travel experiences are captured through the eyes of travellers and made available to us with the Samsung Gear, virtual reality headset.
Marriott continues its virtual reality marketing and public relations efforts with the VR Postcards campaign. They married state of the art technology and intimate travel experiences by partnering with Framestore and Relevent’s Virtual Reality Studio and three lucky brand ambassadors. The ambassadors traveled the world to Chile, Rwanda, and Beijing promoting Marriott’s global travel destinations.
What they captured is an inspiring travel series that users can experience in 3D, 360 degree video, via a virtual reality headset.
The VR Postcards team hit the streets and had people experience virtual travel first hand. Users’ reactions and behind the scenes videos were posted via the Marriott’s website, youtube channel and social media feeds. The social team also got in on the action and created social hashtags #WhyIWander, #TravelBrilliantly, and #GetTeleported to spread the word about their amazing VR campaigns.
Marriott successfully built deeper relationships with its customers through compelling content and first hand storytelling by using the latest technology. This campaign reinforces Marriott’s brand as a key player in the travel industry who is focused on its customers and the future of travel.
My Experience with Virtual Reality Technology
Watching videos of virtual reality footage only provides a glimpse of the true virtual reality experience. This past week I was able to use virtual reality technology first hand at the Felt Lab in St. Jacob’s, Ontario. I took a virtual trip to the exotic Maldives via the powerful Oculus Rift headset. The experience was like nothing else I have ever felt before. The headset covers your eyes and ears to completely immerse you in the virtual location. I could hear the ocean, see the leaves of the palm trees and wave to the yacht that was cruising by. The experience is so lifelike that you feel as if you have just escaped to a far away place, if only for a few minutes.
The virtual world I visited was a 3D, 360 degree experience, created using graphics and it was amazing! I can only imagine the true impact that Marriott’s live footage would have on an audience. It will be interesting to see how more companies start to incorporate virtual reality technology into their integrated marketing communications (IMC) strategy.
Watch my favourite VR Postcard user reaction and let me know what you think!
On-the-Move Marketer 
November 2, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Reblogged this on Integrated Marketing Communications and commented:
This guest post was written by 2015-2016 IMC Candidate Steph Spriet and references what the students learned on a recent trip to the felt lab in St. Jacobs.
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