Expanding Reality
Download Report Menu

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.

A robot looking into a microscope

85%

of jobs that will exist in 2030 have not even been created yet (Source: Dell Technologies and the Institute for the Future)

A child with a VR headset on, sitting next to a woman on a laptop

$1.1TN

how much the global augmented reality market is projected to grow to by 2030 (Source: Fortune Business Insights)

People at computers with headsets on

865.2M

how many users the Esports market is expected to have by 2027 (Source: Statista)

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

+ 0 M

Conversations

+ 0 %

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

  • AI-enabled Relationships

    Our fastest-growing ‘Way In’; the rapid proliferation and widespread adoption of everyday technology has opened vast possibilities for brands and consumers. ​‘Internet of Things’ devices, chatbots, and advancements in AI and Machine Learning have transformed the consumer experience, simplifying tasks and fostering a sense of constant connection.

  • Digitalising the Physical World

    The digital world now holds as much importance as the physical. Consumers are experiencing products, services and events in ways previously unimaginable – with digital concerts, merchandise and even worlds. Virtual consumption is gaining parity with its physical counterpart, as people embrace the seamless integration of both spheres.

  • Boosting the Creative Class

    As digital tools become increasingly accessible and affordable, a surge of creative energy is manifesting in online environments. People are embracing their artistic potential, empowered by advanced digital platforms and tools and giving way to a rise in concepts such as cryptoart. The ‘Creator Economy’ brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to the creative landscape.

  • High-tempo Digital Experiences

    The immersive and interconnected nature of the digital environment is redefining how consumers seek excitement and escape from everyday life. The digital space, with its vast array of experiences, is increasingly becoming a substitute for traditional high-tempo in-real-life events.

AI-enabled Relationships

Our fastest-growing ‘Ways In’; the rapid proliferation and widespread adoption of everyday technology has opened vast possibilities for brands and consumers. ​‘Internet of Things’ devices, chatbots, and advancements in AI and Machine Learning have transformed the consumer experience, simplifying tasks and fostering a sense of constant connection.

Conversations

July '21 - June '23

+ 0 K

Growth Rate YOY

July '21–June '22 vs. July '22–June '23

+ 0 %

Most Discussed:

(Highest volume, with steady growth)

+68%
39K
AI-Powered Features

Growing:

(High volume, with high growth rate)

+73%
54K
AI-Personalisation

Emerging:

(Growing volume, with high growth rate)

+85%
73K
AI Regulation

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

Digitalising the Physical World

The digital world now holds as much importance as the physical. Consumers are experiencing products, services and events in ways previously unimaginable – with digital concerts, merchandise and even worlds. Virtual consumption is gaining parity with its physical counterpart, as people embrace the seamless integration of both spheres.

Conversations

July '21 - June '23

+ 0 M

Growth Rate YOY

July '21–June '22 vs. July '22–June '23

+ 0 %

Most Discussed:

(Highest volume, with steady growth)

+16%
625K
Digital Marketplace

Growing:

(High volume, with high growth rate)

+46%
190K
Virtual Gaming
+39%
51K
Digital Entities

Emerging:

(Growing volume, with high growth rate)

+89%
64K
Tech for Health
+20%
42K
Research & Development

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

Boosting the Creative Class

As digital tools become increasingly accessible and affordable, a surge of creative energy is manifesting in online environments. People are embracing their artistic potential, empowered by advanced digital platforms and tools and giving way to a rise in concepts such as cryptoart. The ‘Creator Economy’ brings a fresh and dynamic perspective to the creative landscape.

Conversations

July '21 - June '23

+ 0 K

Growth Rate YOY

July '21–June '22 vs. July '22–June '23

+ 0 %

Most Discussed:

(Highest volume, with steady growth)

+27%
297K
Digital Art

Growing:

(High volume, with high growth rate)

+11%
44K
Traditional to Digital Art

Emerging:

(Growing volume, with high growth rate)

+42%
16K
Tokenising Beyond Art

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

High-tempo Digital Experiences

The immersive and interconnected nature of the digital environment is redefining how consumers seek excitement and escape from everyday life. The digital space, with its vast array of experiences, is increasingly becoming a substitute for traditional high-tempo in-real-life events.

Conversations

July '21 - June '23

+ 0 K

Growth Rate YOY

July '21–June '22 vs. July '22–June '23

+ 0 %

Most Discussed:

(Highest volume, with steady growth)

+22%
121K
AR Events

Growing:

(High volume, with high growth rate)

+28%
121K
Digital Stage Performances

Emerging:

(Growing volume, with high growth rate)

+45%
26K
NFT Memberships

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

What are the regional conversation growth rates?

Regional Conver Stations

Explore below how Expanding Reality conversations differ around the world

North America

Trending Topics

  • +165% AI Productivity
  • +92% Tech for Health
  • AI is acknowledged as transforming a variety of industries, with AI chatbots highlighted to connect brands with customers and foster engagement
  • Consumers note the traction of AI in healthcare technology, such as chatbots for scheduling appointments, personalised treatments, and even AI-robots for surgical procedures
+95%

YOY Regional Conversation
Growth Rate

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
+86%

YOY Regional Conversation
Growth Rate

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
+75%

YOY Regional Conversation
Growth Rate

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
+79%

YOY Regional Conversation
Growth Rate

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
+95%

YOY Regional Conversation
Growth Rate

Case Study

Johnnie Walker Adopting Reality

People at a table drinking

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.

Person looking at a phone

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

Download Report


Report

Explore below how global consumers are talking about Expanding Reality


Download Report

Other trends