PALO ALTO, Calif., May 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 8th Wall, the leader in web-based augmented reality (WebAR), today announced that it has joined the newly formed IAB Augmented Reality Board of Directors, with Tom Emrich, VP of Product, appointed to the board. As a board member, 8th Wall will help the IAB on its mission to unlock the value of augmented reality for brands by focusing on buyer education, creative best practices and AR ad measurement standards.
“We are extremely honored to be invited to join the IAB Augmented Reality Board of Directors,” says Erik Murphy-Chutorian, CEO and Founder of 8th Wall. “Web-based augmented reality has opened up new opportunities for agencies and brands eager to use AR without the friction of downloading an app. We have seen firsthand how WebAR is helping marketers and brands engage consumers wherever they are and achieve demonstrable results. By joining the AR Board, we are excited that WebAR will be well represented in the discussions and initiatives and to add value by bringing our years of experience to the table.”
8th Wall is the leading web-based augmented reality development platform. Its platform empowers developers, agencies and brands to create World Effects, Image Target and Face Effects augmented reality experiences that work in the browser, requiring no app to download. Since its first full year in 2019, the 8th Wall platform has powered over 750 commercial experiences for top-tier brands across industry verticals including sports and entertainment, CPG, retail, fashion and beauty, automotive and more. Web AR activations powered by 8th Wall have demonstrated real business value, whether this is earning awards, making headlines, engaging millions of users or achieving significant dwell time of over 5 minutes in some experiences.
“Advertising has always been one of the first to adopt new technologies and introduce it to consumers and we are seeing this repeat with augmented reality,” says Tom Emrich, VP of Product at 8th Wall. “AR has never been more ready for marketers and brands to use as part of their marketing mix. Smartphones are now powerful AR devices, platforms are equipping developers and creators with tools to create extraordinary experiences that result in real ROI and, most importantly, the consumer is ready to engage with brands in brand new ways. I look forward to joining my fellow colleagues in the AR industry to help brands and advertisers get started with AR and shape best practices and standards aimed at accelerating the use of AR in the advertising industry.”
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. To help marketers take advantage of the possibilities afforded by immersive technologies, this year IAB launched an AR Board within its Experience Center. The AR Board brings together passionate and experienced AR leaders to help inspire and shape the future of AR in advertising and marketing. In 2021, the board will focus on initiatives which help brands get started with AR including highlighting the benefits of AR for marketers, showcasing in-market AR experience from brands and recommending measurement criteria for AR’s use in advertising and marketing. The Board of Directors also includes members from companies at the forefront of creating consumer AR products and experiences including Google, Facebook, Niantic, Snap, TikTok, Verizon, Unity, L'Oréal, P&G, Emodo, Spark Foundry, Digitas and Big Happy.
"Consumers are increasingly expecting to interact with brands in immersive ways and AR is becoming an important differentiator for marketers looking to bring their brand and products to life," says Zoe Soon, VP of Experience Center, IAB. "As an industry body, it’s important for us to have representation across the ecosystem to empower brands to leverage AR where consumers are, whether that’s in-app or on the web. We’re so excited to welcome Tom and 8th Wall to the IAB Augmented Reality Board. 8th Wall and other WebAR partners will play a key role in helping us scale AR for advertisers.”
Developers, agencies and brands looking to get started with 8th Wall WebAR can sign up for a 14-day free trial to get full access to the 8th Wall platform. Recent examples of 8th Wall-powered experiences for top brands for marketing, advertising and ecommerce purposes can also be found on the 8th Wall blog.
About 8th Wall
8th Wall is an award-winning computer vision software company that makes it possible to build interactive web-based augmented reality (WebAR) that can be experienced on any smartphone—no app required. 8th Wall has powered AR activations for brands across industry verticals including retail, food and beverage, travel and tourism, automotive, fashion, sports and entertainment. Customers of the platform include Nike, Sony Pictures, Burger King, General Mills, British Gas, Heineken, McDonald's, LEGO, Swiss Airlines, Toyota, EVA Air, Red Bull, adidas, COACH and more. Learn more about 8th Wall at www.8thwall.com.
About IAB
The Interactive Advertising Bureau empowers the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy. Its membership comprises more than 650 leading media companies, brands, and the technology firms responsible for selling, delivering, and optimizing digital ad marketing campaigns. The trade group fields critical research on interactive advertising, while also educating brands, agencies, and the wider business community on the importance of digital marketing. In affiliation with the IAB Tech Lab, IAB develops technical standards and solutions. IAB is committed to professional development and elevating the knowledge, skills, expertise, and diversity of the workforce across the industry. Through the work of its public policy office in Washington, D.C., the trade association advocates for its members and promotes the value of the interactive advertising industry to legislators and policymakers. Founded in 1996, IAB is headquartered in New York City.
Media Contact
Tom Emrich
VP of Product, 8th Wall
tom@8thwall.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b3d585b1-1fde-466a-a416-ad214e44d729