DIGITAL MARKETING

Well it is the next digital platform and every 3 or 5 years we experience this shift or transition in computing platforms, for example the last digital shift was from desktop to mobile and next shift will likely be from Mobile to Metaverse as it is expectedto be the future of social technology.

In a marketing perspective you will be able to do things that you will not be able to do in the physical world as you will be (or with people) in a virtual world. Two people can be in the same place at the same time while being in 2 different places or cities or countries.

Indeed it is a rich experience, and one not to miss out on.

But from a consumer perspective it changes for example how children might study, how people might train in their roles, how one could have experience of being in places there would not have been able to visit or learning and going back into history to learn about say the history of Tanzania, Egypt, Rome etc. like you were there. Imagine walking down the streets of Dar es Salaam say in the 1800s, it will be an incredible experience.

If you go into the business arena with augmented reality just imagine trying on a Gucci outfit or driving a Ferrari or using the latest Apple phone all from the comfort of your home while getting the real experience of that product or service.If you have plans to go on holiday but you cannot make up your mind on which hotel to choose, with such devices you can visit the hotels and view the rooms to help make your decision.

How will Marketers Play?

First and foremost, Marketers need to be curious, they need to want to learn and embrace this space and its technology.Basically,a must “try” attitude, play the game get involved that’s what makes the difference. There is a mobile app called Spark ARthat allows people to create personalized augmented reality effects then be able to publish them on Instagram – it is like your own personalized production studio you can make 2D photos, change backgrounds, filters or simply change the world around you.

For marketers or businesses it allows them to extend their personal brands with a unique touch and grow audiences because their customers will really be excited about this new experience and its space.

Augmented Reality will be a Continuum

Currently we can access such an experience via Oculus and many other apps already in the market but as technology moves forward one will be able to simply wear augmented glasses experience virtual reality (if you want to be totally immersed), sometimes you may want to use a computer or a phone.

As for marketers, developers or businesses capability of reaching clients right in front of their eyes and interacting with your products will give a whole new meaning. On the marketing aspect questions are yet to be raised, will advertisements still come in the form of search engine ads or banners ads or full video ads before and after the augmented reality experience? Consumer privacy, data protection and so forth.

Furthermore, we as Tanzanian’s are we prepared to embrace such technology? Are Tanzanian businesses ready to enter this space? Does it make a beneficial use case for businesses that are ready to invest in such technology? If you think out loud Tanzania has magnificent resources and tourism space to market to the world. What about education and spending on localexpertise to master this space? Will it be the same old path sleep now and learn later or will we move to investing in our own youth for this space?

So I say. There’s that old saying that, “You judge a tree by its fruits. What are your fruits?”

Think about it.