m2 is pleased to announce an exciting new expansion of its operations: a bold new venture into the rapidly-growing world of augmented reality.
Augmented reality technology is used to create enhanced interactive experiences over real-world environments. With just the help of a cell phone, tablet, or AR device, images and elements can be laid seamlessly over the world around us, changing the way we perceive reality.
In 1998, TV networks began using AR technology to create that yellow line you’re probably familiar with from football games - the one that highlights the first yardage. But AR first truly entered the public consciousness two summers ago when the mobile game Pokémon Go took the world by storm. That game cleverly utilized augmented reality technology that allowed images and characters to be superimposed into the surrounding world, blending the lines between the game and real life. Two years later the game still boasts as many as 65 million monthly active users. This year saw the release of a similar game set in the universe of The Walking Dead. And another game exploring the world of Harry Potter will debut in sometime in 2019, as the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Since then we have seen AR integration by companies like 19 Crimes Wines, whose wine bottles display hyper-real moving images on their labels. The buzz around the technology drove their start-up brand to sell over one million cases of wine last year. And some of the biggest names in their industries, like L’Oreal, Ikea, Pepsi, and Disney, have begun designing AR content and experiences. It’s no coincidence - AR is being embraced by some of the biggest brands and entertainment properties in the world to promote their content in a fresh and exciting way.
m2 sees the advent of AR as an opportunity to apply the talents of our graphic designers, editors, and creative minds to a whole new medium perfectly suited for entertainment and corporate content. We envision opportunities for this technology to be utilized in sports arenas, medical facilities, and countless corporate and entertainment arenas. Our goal is to become a leader in designing high-quality materials for these services from an advanced creative perspective.
To spearhead this initiative, m2 has brought on Andy Verderame as VP of our Augmented Reality division. Andy is a Senior Creative Executive with more than 20 years of success in the fast-moving, high-stakes media industry. He is an award winning producer/director, having conceived and launched new channels at HBO, directed multiple brand launches for Turner Broadcasting, and now engaging audiences with new Augmented Reality technology.
Google and Apple have already released developers kits and first-party apps based around AR, making major strides in advancing and legitimizing the technology. This will allow users to engage with AR content more readily and thoroughly, and ultimately will truly change the landscape of media and technology as we know it.
The possibility AR represents throughout the worlds of education, commerce, medicine, sport, and of course entertainment, look to be truly boundless. This powerful new platform is drastically changing the way we exchange information, ideas and experiences. At m2 we believe that augmented reality is the true convergence of media, entertainment, and technology. Now with Andy heading up our new AR division, we feel we are perfectly positioned to deliver the most exciting and compelling content, directly to your target audience, through this exciting and innovative new platform.
Let’s create the future together.
Interested? Get in touch! Reach us by emailing lisa@m2nyc.tv, or sending us a message on any of our social media platforms.