Expanding Reality
Brands and products for a Digital World
In today's increasingly digital-first world, the boundaries between the online and offline have blurred, giving rise to a trend known as Expanding Reality. With the maturation of digital infrastructure and widespread connectivity, our daily interactions span the digital and physical worlds seamlessly.
Welcome to an emerging social ‘phygital’ space that has become a significant part of modern life; where online connections are as authentic and meaningful as in-person interactions.
The Expanding Reality trend will continue to redefine how consumers experience the world by blurring the boundaries between the physical and the digital. 2024 will bring boundless opportunities to enhance and augment everyday life, embracing new realities and creating new spaces for people to socialise and interact.
Tracking the trend
As we venture further into this Expanding Reality, the lines between imagination and tangible experiences are blurring like never before
The growth of Expanding Reality conversations: July 2021-June 2023
Conversations
Growth rate
Ways in
Brands that need a way in to Expanding Reality can embrace the following microtrends and engage with this reshaped world of socialising
Regional Conver Stations
Explore below how Expanding Reality conversations differ around the world
North America
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
Europe
Trending Topics
- +148% Personalised Recommendations
- +129% Data privacy
- Consumers discuss VR and AR enabled try-ons in the fashion industry, as retailers seek to reduce “return item” volumes
- Large companies stressed the importance of data privacy and security in AI
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
Africa
Trending Topics
- +112% AR Events
- +105% AI Productivity
- +83% Digital Art Hype
- Productivity boosting AI tools, including virtual chat capabilities, automated meeting insights, and image editing tools were welcomed
- AI is playing a role in personalisation, for example helping consumers to analyse their clothing choices based on personal style and identity
- The growing trend of artists increasingly transitioning from traditional to digital art was highlighted, along with the role this plays in supporting emerging African artists
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
Asia Pacific
Trending Topics
- +96% Data Privacy
- +91% AI in Ecommerce
- There are concerns around digital security, or the lack of it
- Ecommerce trends including VR, AI chatbots, and personalisation of ads were prominent, including AI elevating shopping experiences through personalised suggestions and recommendations
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
Latin America & Carribbean
Trending Topics
- +109% Supporting Emerging Artists
- +108% AI Chat Bots
- +102% Digital Art
- Artists actively engaged with platforms that are tailored to their local communities, sharing their digital artworks
- Debates circulated about AI’s potential to diminish human creativity, specifically in artistic fields
- #cryptoart was heavily discussed, specifically those that are created for the Hispanic community
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
- North America
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America & Carribbean
Case Study
Johnnie Walker Adopting Reality
For over two centuries, Johnnie Walker has been committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in whisky, with its constant search for progress and innovation earning its position today as the biggest whisky brand in the world. However, whilst staying true to the brand’s legacy, Johnnie Walker is committed to looking to the future and attracting the new generation of whisky drinkers.
To help build new connections with consumers, Johnnie Walker is adopting new technology. In 2022, the brand adopted Augmented Reality; collaborating with American rock band Guns N’ Roses to create an AR lightshow experience at a concert in Bogotá, Colombia. Activated from QR codes, fans used their cameras to view AR images of the band and the Johnnie Walker brand as they rocked out at the outdoor venue, an experience that combined both physical and digital to create a truly memorable brand-led experience.
This is only the tip of the iceberg; from adding AR to its ‘Games of Thrones’ whisky offering in 2020, to entering the Web3 space with a music event in the metaverse, the brand is committed to taking bold new steps into this Expanding Reality.
Johnnie Walker knows that attracting consumers who seek culturally relevant brands is essential to maintaining relevance, and its commitment to fulfilling this important new landscape of expanding reality will do just that.
Read more about the brand’s AI-enabled ‘Journey of Flavour’ tour at Johnnie Walker Princes Street
Trending Topics