Brightkite Launches the First Augmented Reality Advertising Solution
in the U.S.
Holiday Campaign Shows Shoppers Special Offers in Nearby Stores
BURLINGAME, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brightkite,
the Social Discovery Network, has launched the first national augmented
reality advertising solution. Brightkite?s users have been able to
access its augmented reality (AR) service since August through the
company?s partnership with Layar. Until now, users of the service could
only see their friends? posts and photos at places around them. With the
launch of a new local advertising solution, they can now also see
special offers in nearby stores.
?This initiative pioneers the latest in advertising ?
combining mobile phones, location awareness and augmented reality. This
is truly a groundbreaking media campaign about which we, as well as our
users, are very excited.?
Using the Brightkite service, users can look at the world around them
through their phone?s camera to see real-time digital information on top
of real-world locations. As the camera is turned in different
directions, the graphics change to accommodate the lens? movements and
the user sees all their friends? Brightkite data revealed around them.
New partnerships with retailers, bars, restaurants and other businesses
will allow Brightkite users to not only see Brightkite data but also
nearby stores and local offers exclusive to each location. This is the
first time AR has been used for an advertising campaign in the U.S.
?Augmented reality is one of the hottest new tools out there and it?s no
surprise that the first campaign to use it is one of the nation?s
largest consumer electronics retailers,? said Brady Becker, founder of
Brightkite. ?This initiative pioneers the latest in advertising ?
combining mobile phones, location awareness and augmented reality. This
is truly a groundbreaking media campaign about which we, as well as our
users, are very excited.?
For the Brightkite users, this novel ad format not only shows them
offers that are both relevant to them, but also nearby. For the
retailer, the campaign allows them to break through the clutter of
holiday advertising campaigns and reach their shoppers directly on their
phones as they navigate through their neighborhoods and go about their
daily lives.
This AR campaign is running on the Brightkite service through the end of
December and is available for both Android and iPhone devices.
About Brightkite
Things are happening, right here, right now. Use Brightkite to meet
people around you, keep up with your friends, explore and discover new
places. Brightkite is the real time social discovery network. More than
2 million people use Brightkite?s free service every month, which is
available to anyone, anywhere, worldwide. All you need is a mobile phone
or Web browser to bring your friends together in the real world,
wherever you may be.
The award-winning company is headquartered in Burlingame, California. To
learn more about using your phone as a social discovery tool, visit us
at www.brightkite.com
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