Marketing has evolved beyond traditional ads and static digital campaigns. Today’s brands are embracing augmented reality (AR) to create immersive and interactive experiences that captivate audiences and foster deeper connections. Augmented reality experiential marketing is transforming how consumers interact with brands, seamlessly blending digital elements into the real world for engaging and memorable brand interactions.
As digital marketing continues to push boundaries, AR has emerged as a powerful tool that allows brands to create immersive product trials, interactive storytelling, and gamified brand engagements. From virtual try-ons to interactive packaging, brands across various industries are using AR-powered experiential marketing to boost engagement and increase conversions.
In this article, we’ll explore 13 powerful examples of augmented reality experiential marketing and how Towerhouse Global can help brands integrate AR and experiential marketing into their digital strategies.
1. IKEA Place – AR Home Design
📌Brand: IKEA
📌Industry: Home & Furniture
📌How It Works:
IKEA’s AR app lets users place 3D furniture models into their homes, helping them visualize how products will look and fit before making a purchase.
✔Why This Works:
✅Removes guesswork from online shopping.
✅Increases customer confidence in purchase decisions.
✅Creates an interactive shopping experience.
2. Sephora Virtual Artist – AR Beauty Try-On
📌Brand: Sephora
📌Industry: Beauty & Cosmetics
📌How It Works:
Sephora’s Virtual Artist AR app allows customers to try on different makeup products virtually, providing a real-time look at shades and styles before purchasing.
✔Why This Works:
✅Enhances customer confidence in product selection.
✅Encourages impulse purchases through AR engagement.
✅Creates a seamless blend of AR and digital marketing.
3. Pepsi Max’s AR Bus Stop Campaign
📌Brand: Pepsi Max
📌Industry: Beverages
📌How It Works:
Pepsi installed AR screens at bus stops, where commuters saw lifelike digital illusions, such as tigers, aliens, and explosions, appear in the real world.
✔Why This Works:
✅Turns everyday moments into engaging brand experiences.
✅Creates viral social media buzz.
✅Demonstrates the brand’s creativity through interactive storytelling.
4. Nike Fit – AR Shoe Sizing
📌Brand: Nike
📌Industry: Footwear
📌How It Works:
Nike Fit uses AR technology to scan customers’ feet and recommend the perfect shoe size, reducing sizing uncertainty for online shoppers.
✔Why This Works:
✅Increases customer satisfaction by improving fit accuracy.
✅Reduces return rates and boosts conversions.
✅Enhances the digital shopping experience.
5. Burger King’s “Burn That Ad” AR Campaign
📌Brand: Burger King
📌Industry: Fast Food
📌How It Works:
Customers could use an AR app to scan competitor ads, which would appear to burn away on their screen, revealing a free Whopper coupon.
✔Why This Works:
✅Creates a fun and interactive competitive marketing strategy.
✅Encourages app downloads and brand engagement.
✅Drives foot traffic to Burger King locations.
6. Hyundai’s AR Car Showroom
📌Brand: Hyundai
📌Industry: Automotive
📌How It Works:
Hyundai developed an AR showroom experience, allowing customers to explore car features, customize vehicles, and view specifications without visiting a dealership.
✔Why This Works:
✅Provides a full showroom experience from anywhere.
✅Saves customers time and simplifies car shopping.
✅Integrates AR into the automotive buying journey.
7. Ray-Ban’s Virtual Try-On
📌Brand: Ray-Ban
📌Industry: Fashion & Eyewear
📌How It Works:
Ray-Ban’s AR try-on tool allows customers to see how different sunglasses look on their face in real-time before making a purchase.
✔Why This Works:
✅Enhances online shopping confidence.
✅Reduces product returns due to incorrect fit.
✅Creates an engaging, social-sharing experience.
8. Gucci’s AR Sneaker Try-On
📌Brand: Gucci
📌Industry: Fashion & Footwear
📌How It Works:
Gucci’s AR app lets customers virtually try on sneakers and make instant purchases.
✔Why This Works:
✅Creates a luxury digital shopping experience.
✅Drives mobile app engagement.
✅Encourages social sharing and influencer marketing.
9. The New York Times’ AR Journalism
📌Brand: The New York Times
📌Industry: Media & Publishing
📌How It Works:
The NYT developed AR-enhanced news stories, allowing readers to experience interactive 3D storytelling through their smartphones.
✔Why This Works:
✅Deepens audience engagement with journalism.
✅Transforms news consumption into an immersive experience.
✅Brings historical and scientific reporting to life.
10. Coca-Cola’s AR Holiday Packaging
📌Brand: Coca-Cola
📌Industry: Beverages
📌How It Works:
Customers could scan Coca-Cola cans with their phones to unlock animated AR holiday scenes and personalized messages.
✔Why This Works:
✅Transforms packaging into an interactive brand experience.
✅Creates a festive emotional connection with consumers.
✅Encourages social media sharing.
11. Adidas AR-Enabled Sneakers
📌Brand: Adidas
📌Industry: Footwear
📌How It Works:
Adidas launched sneakers with QR codes that unlock exclusive AR content, allowing customers to see design details and styling inspiration.
✔Why This Works:
✅Adds extra value to product purchases.
✅Creates an interactive shopping experience.
✅Encourages repeat customer engagement.
12. Netflix’s Stranger Things AR Experience
📌Brand: Netflix
📌Industry: Entertainment
📌How It Works:
Netflix created an AR portal experience, allowing fans to explore Hawkins, Indiana, and interact with Stranger Things characters.
✔Why This Works:
✅Engages fans through interactive storytelling.
✅Boosts brand loyalty for Netflix.
✅Encourages binge-watching and fan engagement.
13. Towerhouse Global’s Custom AR Activations
📌Brand: Towerhouse Global
📌Industry: Experiential Marketing
📌How It Works:
Towerhouse Global helps brands create custom AR activations for product launches, trade shows, and immersive brand experiences.
✔Why This Works:
✅Transforms marketing campaigns into interactive experiences.
✅Engages consumers in meaningful ways.
✅Seamlessly integrates AR with digital marketing strategies.
Contact Towerhouse Global today to develop a high-impact AR experiential marketing campaign that captivates audiences and drives engagement!
