Meet and Greet at Webinale June 1st “Case Study: Avatar Augmented Reality Experiences with Mattel, Mc Donald, and Coca-Cola”

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Total Immersion

Come and join Total Immersions COO, Eric Gehl at Webinale Event taking place tomorrow in Berlin. Webinale is a web conference for web design, development, business and new trends in technology.

Eric will animate as session about Avatar Augmented Reality Experiences with Mattel, Mc Donald’s, and Coca-Cola with illustrated cases studies.

The marketing campaign associated with the Avatar movie was tremendous. Total Immersion was involved in the most important cross brand promotion ever in the AR field with major food outlets such as Mc Donald, and Coca-Cola as well as a line of augmented reality action figures with the leading toys manufacturer Mattel. During December 09 till January 2010, product packaging in the U.S. for Big Macs have featured an AR Thrill Card on the side of each box, delivering an up-close experience with the rich environments of Pandora when displayed before a webcam. Total Immersion and Coca-Cola have teamed up to transform the soda can into a stunning platform for augmented reality. Some 140 million Coke Zero cans worldwide have been AR-enabled to “launch” a Samson helicopter when the can is displayed before a webcam, making this campaign one of the largest AR packaging creation to date. The Mattel action figures are bundled with a special plastic card looking like a small remote control. Once this device placed in front of a webcam, the action begins. In addition to the control of the figure user can interact directly through the physical device. Press a button, and the figure takes flight – press another, and the guns begin to fire.

01.06.2010 | 11:15 – 12:15 | Room: Maritim I-BC

More information here

Filed under: Event / Networking | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Total Immersion Points Way toward New Modes of Digital Game Play via Augmented Reality

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Total Immersion

With AR Technology in i-TAG Toys, Topps Trading Cards and More, Is Toy Industry Nearing a Tipping Point?

LOS ANGELES (February 11, 2010) – With the holiday season now behind us and Toy Fair opening this week, are we witnessing a revolution in how kids play?

Last fall, in advance of the release of Twentieth Century Fox’s epic action-adventure film, “Avatar,” Mattel launched a new line of action figures based on characters, creatures and vehicles in the film — the first retail toys ever to incorporate augmented reality (AR) technology.

Each toy in the product line includes a 3D web tag, called an i-TAG — developed by Total Immersion (www.t-immersion.com), the global leader in AR — which consumers can display before a webcam.  Scanning the i-TAG reveals special content onscreen unique to the corresponding product.  When the i-TAG for deluxe figures, vehicles or creatures are placed under a webcam, animated 3-D models “come alive” through engaging, evading or defending moves.  Said a CNET correspondent, “I’ve seen the future of toys and it’s augmented reality.”

The i-TAG product line came on the heels of Topps’ 3D Live trading cards for both Major League Baseball and the NFL, which introduced a broad audience to AR and a groundbreaking enhancement to the trading card, a beloved American classic.  Just as AR is beginning to redefine game play, it is also bringing a new dimension to the children’s encyclopedia genre.  Nathan and Total Immersion recently received an LSA Innovation Oscar for the Dokeo Augmented Reality Encyclopedia, dubbed the “best innovative cultural product for 2009” in France.

A year ago, industry pundit Jonathan Samet of Toy Insider identified five trends that he suggested would shape the business:

  • Lower priced toys (toys under $25)
  • Toys based on movie/entertainment properties
  • Science toys
  • Green toys
  • Access to the Internet and digital websites

Similarly, the Toy Association itself echoed those trends, in a report that called out budget toys, green toys, movie toys and interactive and digital toys.  Noted the association: “Computers and web searching abilities have greatly influenced children’s play patterns in recent years.  Links to website and added content will be offered through websites dedicated for this purpose only.”

“By the toy industry’s own assessments, digital forms of game play are ready for prime time, and the Topps cards and Mattel i-TAG toys touch on virtually all of the current industry trends,” said Bruno Uzzan, CEO and co-founder, Total Immersion.  “Augmented reality has gained momentum because of its unique ability to engage consumers in their experience with a brand.  Mattel’s ‘Avatar’ toy line and Topps’ new take on trading cards are truly groundbreaking, by taking key assets of important franchises and placing them in the consumer’s hands, to extend these brands in new environments, in new ways.

“At the same time, these toy lines suggest that digital play patterns are taking their place alongside durable toys,” Uzzan said.  “Digital toys represent an exciting addition to the mix, bringing characters to life and enhancing both the physical toy and the property from which that toy is derived.”

About Total Immersion

Total Immersion (www.t-immersion.com) is the global leader in augmented reality. Through its patented D’Fusion® technology, Total Immersion blurs the line between the virtual world and the real world by integrating real time interactive 3D graphics into a live video stream. Leading the augmented reality category since 1999, the company maintains offices in Europe (France and the UK), Asia and in the U.S., and supports a network of more than 65 partners worldwide.  Find the latest news concerning Total Immersion projects at: http://augmented-reality-news.com.

Filed under: Consumer products, New Projects, Press Release | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Blog Review : iMediaConnection elected Avatar Campaign as one brilliant Augmented Reality Campaign

Posted on February 9, 2010 by Total Immersion

Please have a look at this article :  iMediaConnection

“Avatar”

Excitement around James Cameron’s “Avatar” created opportunities for several AR tie-ins to the movie. McDonald’s launched a site called “Experience Pandora” that users can tap via a “Thrill Card,” which can be cut out from McDonald’s boxes or printed out at home. According to Variety, Coca-Cola also placed Avatar related content on 140 million cans, while Mattel created action figures with special AR tags that provide additional content.  more

Filed under: Event / Networking, Expert Review | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Blog Review : Washington Post’s Review of Mattel Avatar Toys with Augmented Reality

Posted on January 5, 2010 by Total Immersion

James Cameron’s new movie, “Avatar,” attacks theaters this week, and for select members of the family that means play opportunities, both real and virtual, based on the sci-fi epic.

[...]

Now, there’s an exhaustive line of 3 3/4-inch action figures and in-scale creatures and vehicles based on the Avatar universe that deliver a magical, high-tech upgrade for those with a computer, webcam and broadband Internet connection.

Junior first must make purchasing decisions based on a wide assortment of characters from the PG-13-rated movie. The figures have limited articulation and the occasional accessory, such as Pandorian Tsu’Tey with his double bow or human Col. Mile Quaritch, who packs a pistol.

Parents may find themselves involved in the assembly process for the vehicles and creatures, including building the AMP Suit, six-legged Thanator and butterfly-winged Leonopteryx. (That exercise might lead to some unavoidable loose joints and frustrated offspring. At least there are no stickers to apply.)

Following some real playtime, children will want to visit the Avatar i-Tag Web site (www.avataritag.com). After downloading and installing the Total Immersion D’Fusion Web plug-in, they now can match a plaque (which is included with all toys and doubles as a display base for the figures) with one of 40 on-screen entries.

Once a Web page showing live visuals from the user’s webcam is online, a user takes the corresponding plaque and holds it in front of the camera. A three-dimensional, animated representation of the figure will appear above the plaque on the screen.

As the owner shifts the base or moves it farther from the camera, the size and perspective of the virtual entity also changes.

Adding to the experience, when a child covers one of the icons printed on the plaque, more information is revealed, or the elaborate onscreen creation is set in motion. For example, the Thanator rears back and then jumps forward with a ferocious growl and owners learn in a pop-up fact card that the creature has a massive, distensible armored jaw.

The character figures offer 3-D imagery such as maps of Pandora or a C-21 Dragon Assualt Ship or an irritable Viperwolf.

The great news is the concept is amazing, works every time and requires no lengthy registration or computer-befuddling installations. The not so good news is it’s a one-trick pony. There is no way to get multiple plaques to interact, no way to download vital information to use in some type of online multiplayer fighting game (take a look at Mattel’s Xtractaurs) and they must exit the program and choose another toy icon for the second toy to appear.

Maybe some of these possibilities will be incorporated into the next licensed property, but for the time being, it still is an impressive visual that extends the fun for a youngster playing with a traditional action figure.

Filed under: Blog Review, Expert Review | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Blog Review : Cisco Virtual Environments : Avatar Pushes Augmented Reality

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Total Immersion

Please have a look at this article : Cisco Virtual Environments

The new James Cameron movie, Avatar, is a next generation film that truly blurs the line between animation and reality.   Add to that mix the elements of new 3D technology, and you see why Cameron waited for the technology to catch up to his vision of the planet world Pandora.   

The movie is not only pushing the boundaries of progressive movie making, but the marketing effort associated with the movie is tremendous.   The movie has a full array of cross brand promotions with major food outlets, as well as a line of augmented reality action figures.   

These action figures are not the ones you might remember, in fact, they are nothing like you have seen before.  These actions figures look deceiving at first, as they seem similar to a small remote control.   However, once the devices are placed in front of a webcam, the action begins.   In addition to the control of the figure that we have seen in other AR demos, this goes further by adding controls directly on the physical device.   Press a button, and the figure takes flight; press another, and the guns begin to fire. 

More

Filed under: Blog Review | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

TI and Coca-Cola Team Up to AR-enable Coke Zero Cans

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Total Immersion

Augmented reality pioneer Total Immersion  and Coca-Cola have teamed up to transform the soda can into a stunning platform for augmented reality. Some 140 million Coke Zero cans worldwide have been AR-enabled to “launch” a Samson helicopter — from the fleet of Fox’s blockbuster Avatar — when the can is displayed before a webcam.  The Coke Zero project marks a milestone in the AR tracking and play experience: rather than being “stuck” to an object, the chopper floats freely and can be manipulated by “remote control.”  The craft moves in the direction users choose, and gains momentum on its own, replicating the motion of an actual helicopter.

Filed under: Consumer products, New Projects, Online Marketing | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

Los Angeles Times Looks at the Mattel iTag Line

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Total Immersion

“Mattel’s Jason Horowitz talks to the L.A. Times about how the Avatar AR-enabled line of iTag action figures weds augmented reality and the fantastic reality of James Cameron’s blockbuster.  In this interview, Horowitz discusses how augmented reality expands upon the remarkable experience of the film.” More

Filed under: Blog Review, Consumer products, New Projects | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Coca-Cola Zero™ Announces Global Film Partnership With James Cameron’s Avatar

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Total Immersion

The Coca-Cola Company today announced its Coca-Cola Zero brand has partnered with Twentieth Century Fox on a major global promotional campaign for James Cameron’s epic-adventure film AVATAR.
Set to be activated in over 30 countries, the partnership centers on bringing consumers unique access to exclusive and authentic content from the world of AVATAR in a variety of exciting ways.

Chip York, Worldwide Entertainment Marketing Director, The Coca-Cola Company, said: “AVATAR shares the same aspirational, edgy and unconventional brand values as Coca-Cola Zero. Working so closely with the studio and filmmakers has allowed us to create authentic and exclusive content that provides fans’ unique access into the world, deepening their AVATAR experience.”

Digital – www.AVTR.com

In an effort to provide consumers with the most compelling information about the movie, the digital team at Coca-Cola Zero collaborated directly with studio and filmmakers to create http://www.AVTR.com, a must-visit destination for AVATAR fans. The site will feature regular “live” journalist reports from the moon of Pandora, providing fans exclusive views and insights into this spectacular world.
Stafford Green, Group Director, Interactive for The Coca-Cola Company said: “Accessing AVTR.com is one of the best ways to prepare to go and see AVATAR. Through our partnership with the studio and filmmakers, Coke Zero makes it possible to delve deep into this exciting film before you get to the movie theater.”
Visitors to AVTR.com will be able to access exclusive AVATAR imagery, wallpapers, games and applications as well as regularly updated, real-time AVATAR news.
AVATAR Producer Jon Landau explains: “AVATAR will provide a unique immersive experience for moviegoers, and this promotion with Coca-Cola Zero will bring fans even deeper into the amazing world of Pandora and James Cameron’s vision.”

TV Commercial

In a second exclusive coup, the Coca-Cola Zero team has collaborated with Twentieth Century Fox to create a TV commercial and cinema spot, featuring footage and promoting the brand’s partnership with AVATAR.


The spot shows a young man unwinding at the end of the day in front of his computer. He takes a drink of Coke Zero from a special AVATAR branded pack. The motion of the pack stimulates the webcam into action. Focusing in on the AVTR mark, the webcam unlocks an incredible, immersive movie experience. In a flash, he is transported to the world of Pandora, which comes alive in footage from the movie. The experience intensifies as an arrow, shot from the hands of the movie’s main character, flies out from the computer, past the ear of the guy and into the wall behind him. As he walks over to investigate, another arrow flies through, narrowly missing him. Pinned against the wall, his experience is suddenly interrupted as his flatmate enters the apartment. The scene closes “It’s Possible. Coca-Cola Zero. Real Coca-Cola Taste. Zero Sugar.”
The commercial launched globally in cinema in the US on October 31st and on TV on November 14th.

Augmented Reality (AR) Experience

Special AR enabled Coke Zero packaging featuring the AVTR mark will provide consumers with an immersive AVATAR related experience. Through the use of AR technology – a web based application that enables the user to interact with 3D motion graphics – Coke Zero consumers will be able to maneuver a Samson helicopter, a vehicle featured in the movie.

Users can unlock the AR experience in a number of ways including holding a promotional pack in front of a webcam, accessing the experience at AVTR.com or taking a picture of the AVTR mark or Coca-Cola Zero logo from some camera phones.

Once unlocked, consumers can use a computer keyboard to trigger different actions including; shooting a missile, maneuvering the rotors of the helicopter and shooting its guns. AVTR.com will include a call-to-action telling the visitor to use one of the activating symbols against their webcam to initiate the experience.

Filed under: Consumer products, New Projects, Online Marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Video Release of McDVISION Avatar Pandora Augmented Reality Experience

Posted on December 18, 2009 by Total Immersion

During the month and into January, product packaging in the U.S. for Big Macs will feature an AR Thrill Card on the side of each box, delivering an up-close experience with the rich environments of Pandora, and revealing insights into the characters, fauna and flora from the movie. Displayed before a webcam, the perforated Thrill Card becomes a portal into three unique, immersive Pandora environments the Pandoran Rainforest, the Hallelujah Mountains and the Tree of Souls.

Players control their AR experiences by moving and tilting the Thrill Cards through the world of Pandora. They are invited to Touch the Mysterious Anemonids where they watch the Pandoran Rainforest light up as they touch the bioluminescent Anemonids. Players are then beckoned to Navigate Across Ancient Vine Bridges, where they can show their balancing skills by crossing the shaky vines to reach the Hallelujah Mountains. In the third scenario, Find Mystical Woodsprites, players explore the willow tree in search of the mystical Woodsprites, and watch them come to life.

Filed under: Consumer products, New Projects, Online Marketing | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Mc Donald’s Orders Up Augmented Reality From Total Immersion, in Global Promotion For Fox’s ‘AVATAR’

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Total Immersion

AR Experiences Connect Film and Filmgoers Worldwide, In Biggest Mass Deployment of Augmented Reality to Date.


LOS ANGELES (Dec. 17, 2009) – You’ve seen the trailer — now grab a bite of augmented reality to accompany your Big Mac as you gear up for the Dec. 18 opening of 20th Century Fox’s “Avatar.”

Augmented reality pioneer Total Immersion (www.t-immersion.com) today announced that it has teamed up with McDonald’s on a global promotion for the film at its restaurants in 40 markets around the world – the most extensive deployment of AR technology to date.  The promotion kicked off earlier this month, on hundreds of millions of McDonald’s boxes — and, on Dec. 18, on the web, at http://www.mcdonalds.com/avatar.

During the month and into January, product packaging in the U.S. for Big Macs will feature an AR “Thrill Card” on the side of each box, delivering an up-close experience with the rich environments of Pandora, and revealing insights into the characters, fauna and flora from the movie.  Displayed before a webcam, the perforated “Thrill Card” becomes a portal into three unique, immersive Pandora environments – the Pandoran Rainforest, the Hallelujah Mountains and the Tree of Souls.

Players control their  AR experiences by moving and tilting the “Thrill Cards” through the world of Pandora.  They are invited to “Touch the Mysterious Anemonids” where they watch the Pandoran Rainforest light up as they touch the bioluminescent Anemonids.  Players are then beckoned to “Navigate Across Ancient Vine Bridges,” where they can show their balancing skills by crossing the shaky vines to reach the Hallelujah Mountains.  In the third scenario, “Find Mystical Woodsprites,” players explore the willow tree in search of the mystical Woodsprites, and watch them come to life.

“The McDonald’s/Avatar promotion delivers augmented reality on an unprecedented global scale,” said Bruno Uzzan, CEO, Total Immersion.  “It’s by far the widest use of AR we’ve ever seen, potentially touching hundreds of millions worldwide.  At the same time, it signals the arrival of digital experiences, to complement durable goods in the marketplace – a trend we expect will accelerate in the months and years ahead.

“Augmented reality does more than engage customers – it enlightens and entertains as well,” he said.  “We’re as excited about the upcoming release of ‘Avatar’ as moviegoers worldwide, and this promotion with McDonald’s extends both the trailer and the energy building around the film.  We’re absolutely thrilled to be part of this, and to offer a technology that conveys to consumers the magic of the movie.”

Note : Big Mac promotion is in US only.  Not worldwide.

Filed under: Consumer products, New Projects, Online Marketing, Press Release | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Next Page »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 35 other followers

%d bloggers like this: