Tag: XRii

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, harnessing the power of augmented reality (AR) and gamification has become paramount for businesses and marketers alike. These innovative technologies are not just trends; they represent a paradigm shift in engagement and customer interaction. 

Augmented reality bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds, offering immersive experiences that captivate audiences. By integrating gamification elements into AR campaigns, companies can tap into the innate human desire for competition, achievement, and rewards, driving deeper engagement and brand loyalty.

In this interview, we spoke with Matthew Endresz, the founder and CEO of XRii, to learn more about the company’s vision and mission of gamifying campaigns through immersive technologies, such as augmented reality.

MARKETECH APAC: In one sentence, what does your company do?

Endresz: XRii allows you to create brilliant and engaging campaigns using augmented reality, geo-mapping and gamification, all within your own app. Think Pokemon Go meshed with Groupon! 

MARKETECH APAC: How / why did you start your company?

Endresz: Our journey with XRii began with an audacious belief: the future of customer engagement was on the cusp of a radical transformation, and we wanted to be at the helm of it. We realised that emerging technologies –like augmented reality, geo-mapping, and gamification – were more than just buzzwords. They were untapped resources, brimming with potential to redefine how businesses connect with their audiences. 

But what struck us most was a glaring gap in the market. Companies either needed more expertise to integrate these technologies effectively or found the prospect too daunting and complex. That’s when we knew we had to act. The vision for XRii was born out of a desire to democratise access to these cutting-edge technologies, enabling businesses of all sizes to tap into new realms of customer engagement and revenue growth.

MARKETECH APAC: What is the best thing your company has achieved or learnt along the way? 

Endresz: Within the first six months of going live, we launched five successful case studies. We also participated in the SportsPro Ignition event and received an exceptional reception. This recognition not only validated the hard work and creativity of our team but also reinforced our belief in the significance of our mission. We are more excited than ever about the future and fuelled by enthusiasm, knowing that the best is still yet to come.

MARKETECH APAC: What’s some advice you’d give to an aspiring martech start-up?

Endresz: The start-up landscape is dynamic, and being adaptable is crucial. Be prepared to learn from both successes and failures as each experience holds valuable insights that can guide your decisions and strategies moving forward. Beyond that, my advice to aspiring start-ups would be:

  1. Ensure that it’s driven by passion: Passion is the driving force that sustains you through the inevitable hurdles and uncertainties that arise. It’s what gives you the energy to persist, iterate and continuously improve your offerings. When your start-up is fuelled by passion, it becomes more than just a business venture – it becomes a mission that you’re truly invested in.
  1. Prioritise quality and excellence: In a competitive landscape, quality and excellence are your distinguishing factors. Strive to create products or services that not only meet but exceed the expectations of your customers. This requires a commitment to consistently delivering value. By focusing on quality, you establish trust and credibility in the minds of your customers, setting the foundation for lasting relationships and positive word-of-mouth.
  1. Nurture the finer details: The success of a start-up often hinges on the finer details that might be overlooked by others. Whether it’s the user interface of your app, the packaging of your product or the clarity of your communication – these seemingly small elements can have a significant impact on the overall perception of your brand. Take the time to refine these details and ensure that every touchpoint reflects the level of care and thoughtfulness that you’ve poured into your venture.

MARKETECH APAC: What’s next for your company?

Endresz: We are committed to strengthening our product, with the goal of optimising the value we deliver to both our existing and new clients and their customers. This will position us strongly for the future whether that’s as the ‘go-to’ marketing platform for brand engagement and conversions through interactive solutions in the APAC region or on the international stage. 

MARKETECH APAC: Which other companies do you admire?

Endresz: I have admiration for companies like Apple, Airbnb, Spotify, Disney, Revolut, as well as smaller enterprises such as Vitable. I’m drawn to companies that prioritise design with great intensity. So, Apple’s sleek and user-friendly products, Airbnb’s easy-to-use platform for finding unique places to stay, Spotify’s simple way of discovering music, Disney’s ability to create magical, immersive experiences and Revolut’s modern approach to finance — they showcase the incredible impact that aesthetics and user experience can have in building successful and memorable businesses. Even smaller companies like Vitable show that good design and processes can make a real difference. 

Sydney, Australia – Australian beverage brand Billson’s joins forces with local marketing platform XRii to introduce an innovative AR scavenger hunt, which promises a unique holiday shopping experience for locals and travellers alike to visit its brewery and explore the town of Beechworth.

The AR scavenger hunt encouraged shoppers to explore historical sites around Beechworth and collect AR cordials. Once collected, customers were rewarded with a free bottle of Billson’s limited edition cordial that they could redeem at the brewery.

Signage in local businesses, as well as promotion on Billson’s highly engaged social media channels, spread the word about the activation and encouraged people to take part in the experience. The concept was a collaborative process between Billson’s and XRii, and the app was designed, developed and deployed by the XRii team.

Talking about the collaboration, Molly Wescott, marketing manager at Billson, said, “The entire XRii team was amazing from ideation through to the development of the app. The way we were able to utilise their technology to bring even more fun and connection to the brand was really special and helped us to better connect with our consumers.”

“We were interested in working with XRii from the start, not really knowing about the technology. But the team at XRii made it really easy to understand and work with. Now, we’re looking forward to rolling out even more unique experiences together on a national scale,” she added. 

Meanwhile, Matthew Endresz, founder and CEO at XRii, commented, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Billson’s in bringing this exciting AR-powered shopping experience to life. Our collaborative journey from ideation to execution has showcased the immense potential of immersive technology in redefining how consumers engage with brands.”

Australia – Marketing platform XRii has revealed details on how various sports clubs are utilising a mix of digital experiences and experiential marketing in order to drive resulst for their respective clubs. This comes at a time where interactivity and engagement have been prevalent through the rise of virtual venues and concerts enabled by AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) technology.

First off, the baseball league Perth Heat tapped XRii to develop a customised app, which facilitated a AU$50,000 cash giveaway, enabling data collection and rewarding users with in-app incentives. The seamless integration of XRii’s AR technology with digital campaigns and in-venue experiences led to noticeable results.

Meanwhile, the popular sports organisation Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) also tapped the agency for various digital experiences. In 2022, it released FIFA+, an AR app that offers viewers immersive content via mobile devices to bring the action to fans wherever they are, which is sure to bring interaction to the current FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand.

In addition, the Major League Baseball (MLB) also releasedits immersive ‘MLB All-StAR Scavenger Hunt’ last July, bringing the game to life like never before. The first-of-its-kind MLB scavenger hunt engaged fans, earning participation and gaining valuable customer information that could be further used to personalise experiences.

Lastly, the National Football League (NFL) introduced an app with augmented reality (AR) features. Fans can use their cameras to create and share images, incorporating virtual helmets and eye black, on social media platforms. Moreover, it also collaborated with popular sandbox game Roblox to develop a series of virtual experiences.

According to Matthew Endresz, CEO and founder of XRii, the impact of the digital revolution goes beyond enhancing the quality and accessibility of live events. It is also reshaping the business landscape of sports and entertainment, generating new and innovative business models.

“The integration of technology has opened up a plethora of revenue streams, allowing for monetisation opportunities that were previously untapped. To truly capitalise on this exciting time and this massive opportunity, sports clubs must evolve. They have to ensure sports remain captivating for the next generation of fans whilst keeping the current state of sports fandom strong,” he said.