Unboxing Asia

Hana Stewart Smith

Toyota’s latest augmented reality viral marketing campaign

By | November 25, 2011, 4:15am PST

Summary: In preparation for the debut of their hotly anticipated FT-86 Coupe Toyota have launched an impressive viral campaign across Facebook, Twitter and through iPhone apps.

Toyota has launched an impressive multi-platform viral campaign in preparation for the debut of their new model, the FT-86 Coupe.

The campaign utilises social networking to its fullest with an interactive ‘painted’ website, an application for the iPhone, and a new game for Facebook.


(Source: Toyota)

The free ‘World Reporter‘ application for the iPhone blends real-world and augmented reality, allowing users’ to take pictures of the FT-86 on the streets around them. The app superimposes the image of the car into their photos and they can then be uploaded to form ‘reports’ from around the world.

Also released is the ‘Social Network Racer’ game for Facebook: a 3D racing game that users can play on the Facebook page.

But the key to the viral campaign is the ‘painted website’ at Shinjuku station, that can be viewed on a 24-hour live feed, though only available for one more day.

The painted wall acts as a website through the live-feed, with visitors being able to click on links by hovering over sections of the video. Above a scrolling LED display shows messages from Twitter, a countdown to the show as well as messages and information about the highly anticipated Toyota FT-86.

Below the wall, there are also ‘buttons’ painted with the symbols for Facebook ‘likes’ and Twitter ‘retweets’. The buttons have lights on top that flash whenever someone ‘Likes’ or retweets the web address in real-life, and users from across the world can see their actions in real-time flashing on screen.

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Topics

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo.

Disclosure

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana Stewart-Smith's mother is presently employed by IBM UK. No other existing or potential conflicts to report; this information will be updated whenever deemed necessary.

Biography

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo. After recognising that a degree in both English Literature and Film is, in fact, two parts unnecessary and useless, Hana decided that a change in pace was in order. With a lifelong passion for writing and a healthy fear/ fascination with technology, the next logical step was to move to Japan and surround herself with terrifying tech and a complete absence of the English language. She'll let you know how that venture works out.

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RE: Toyota's latest augmented reality viral marketing campaign
hjfdkl 25th Nov
Maybe they should put some of that money into avoiding recalls.

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