THE OPPORTUNITY FOR VR MARKETING IN MYANMAR

With the growing number of internet and smartphone users in Myanmar, the opportunity of VR marketing in this country is swiftly becoming a reality. While a proper VR headset like the Oculus Rift can cost someone as much as $600, Google has offered an affordable alternative called Google Cardboard. Google’s mass-market headsets that connect to your smartphone prices begin at $15. There are also nearly 1.3 million people subscribed to YouTube 360, YouTube’s Virtual Reality channel. So, has the time come for VR Marketing in Myanmar?

What is VR Marketing?

VR marketing is a different beast than typical online marketing. Production costs can be high, but the experience is unlike any other. A VR experience can be as simple as a YouTube 360 can give users a 360-degree view of a 2D landscape. The beauty of this simple version of VR is that you can experience it on your smartphone or desktop without any extra accessories.

The other application of VR Marketing is giving users a fully immersive experience with a proper headset. In a full VR environment, you can actually walk around a virtual world either using a responsive room, walking platform, or a directional handset. Companies like Sony and Honda have already begun offering customers 3D experiences like this at special pop-up events. It’s an expensive buy-in to own your own VR system, but companies like the ones mentioned above have used special integrated marketing events to remedy this situation.

The Possibilities of VR Marketing in Myanmar

Everywhere you go in Myanmar, expect to find plenty of people glued to their smartphones looking for news, talking to friends, and searching for new and entertaining content. Companies like Facebook, Myanmar’s most prevalent social network, already offers Facebook 360 to users with or without headsets. According to a recent study by research firm, IDC, by 2020, 20% of all Facebook advertising will use AR (augmented reality) photos and videos. VR and AR marketing is on the rise and Myanmar consumers are likely to take hold of this new trend in content delivery.

For a more immersive user experience, the pop-up VR event would be a great opportunity for experiential marketing in Myanmar. In a country where people are always looking for something to do, providing a Virtual Reality experience would be a great addition to any marketing event. Also, access to personal VR equipment is still unaffordable to most Myanmar, so an event which featured a station with nice goggles and a responsive environment would leave a lasting impression on attendees’ minds.

Given the potential impact of a well-integrated campaign, marketing with VR may be the perfect opportunity to connect a brand with its audience in Myanmar. Whether it be through a 360-degree virtual tour or a strategically executed event, experimenting with this emerging technology can boost your brand and leave a lasting impact on your customers.