Picture this: a customer points their phone at a store window and instantly sees a 3D version of your product dancing across the glass. A curious swipe reveals colour options. A smile, a screenshot, a share. That’s Augmented Reality (AR) marketing, where it’s turning passive audiences into active participants.
In an era where attention is currency, static ads fade fast and AR flips the script. It invites people into the brand story, where they can touch, move, try, and explore before making a single purchase. It’s marketing that doesn’t speak to customers—it moves through them.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- AR marketing campaigns elevate brand recall and engagement by transforming customer experiences through immersive AR user interaction.
- Virtual try-ons help eliminate guessing, making online shopping feel more confident and personalised.
- AR marketing brings brands to life through interactive experiences, whether on packaging, in real-world locations, social content, or immersive storytelling, and drives deeper engagement and lasting impressions.
- Successful AR marketing relies on purposeful execution, not just tech novelty—campaigns must align with how people think, feel, and behave.
What is Augmented Reality Marketing
AR marketing brings digital content into the real world through phones or wearables, creating interactive, memorable brand experiences.
Instead of just telling, it shows—helping users explore products, enjoy immersive stories, and engage with content they can see, share, and remember.
As AR becomes more accessible, it’s becoming a powerful tool for brands to create deeper, more personal connections.
7 Types of Augmented Reality
Not all AR experiences are built the same—different types of AR serve different purposes depending on the platform, device, and goal of the campaign. Understanding the distinctions can help brands choose the right approach for their audience.
| Type | Details |
| Marker-Based | Uses a code or image (like a QR code) to launch AR content when scanned. Commonly seen in product packaging, flyers, or print ads. |
| Markerless (Location-Based) | Places AR content based on GPS or sensor data, no image needed. Often used in outdoor campaigns, tourism apps, or in-store navigation. |
| Projection-Based | Projects digital visuals onto real surfaces, sometimes allowing touch interaction. Popular for exhibits, showcases, or interactive displays. |
| Superimposition | Replaces part of the real-world view with digital elements. Used in fields like healthcare or product visualisation. |
| Web-Based | Runs in a web browser without needing an app. Great for online try-ons, short-term campaigns, or microsites. |
| App-Based | Requires users to download a dedicated app for richer AR experiences. Used in branded games, loyalty platforms, or immersive product demos. |
The Pros of AR Marketing
Tapping into AR shifts marketing from a one-way broadcast to a shared experience. It gives people something to explore—something to remember. These are the benefits of using AR marketing:
- High AR Engagement: Interactive content encourages users to spend more time with your brand.
- Boosted Conversion Rates: Shoppers are more confident about buying after virtually trying or visualising a product.
- Stronger Brand Recall: Memorable, immersive experiences increase the likelihood of brand retention.
- Innovative Brand Image: Early AR adoption signals creativity, tech-savviness, and forward thinking.
- Data-Driven Insights: Track how users interact in real time to refine targeting and content strategies.
5 Trends in Augmented Reality (AR) Marketing Campaigns
As brands compete to capture fleeting attention spans, marketers are constantly seeking new, creative ways to stand out. Augmented Reality presents itself as a dynamic playground, transforming passive observers into active participants.
Explore these five standout trends that leading brands are leveraging today to redefine customer interaction, spark curiosity, and shape unforgettable moments.
1. Virtual Try-Ons
Virtual try-ons let users see how products like glasses or makeup look on them through their device’s camera, making shopping more visual, personalised, and confident. This turns hesitation into action by replacing guesswork with real-time experience.
Example:
Sephora’s Virtual Artist lets users apply makeup virtually to test colours before buying.
2. Interactive Packaging
Interactive packaging transforms ordinary products into lively, digital experiences; graphics animate, stories unfold, and characters appear when scanned with a phone—making everyday shopping surprising, memorable, and fun.
Example:
Coca-Cola’s holiday cans come alive with animated winter scenes, creating unexpected delight from a simple scan.
3. Location-Based AR Campaigns
Location-based AR turns physical spaces into interactive experiences, where users unlock digital content tied to real-world locations. It feels more like an adventure than an ad—inviting people to explore, discover, and engage with brand stories that unfold exactly where they stand.
Example:
Pokémon GO’s collaboration with McDonald’s Japan brought players to designated outlets, blending gaming, brand presence, and real-world movement into one seamless experience.
4. AR in Social Media Filters
Social media AR filters seamlessly weave brands into everyday digital interactions, turning simple selfies into playful, share-worthy moments. Rather than interrupting, these filters encourage users to spread branded content naturally, simultaneously boosting visibility through fun and creativity.
Example:
Gucci’s virtual sneaker filter lets users style their photos with exclusive digital footwear—no purchase necessary, just clout.
Looking for more ways to elevate your content creation? Learn how to leverage interactive content today to drive better engagement.
5. AR-Powered Storytelling
AR-powered storytelling places the audience directly within the narrative, inviting interaction through movement, space, and presence. Users step into scenes that react to their gestures and choices, turning physical spaces into dynamic stages.
Brands leveraging this method create deeply engaging experiences, blending digital content and real environments seamlessly, leaving lasting impressions that traditional storytelling rarely achieves.
Example:
The New York Times’ AR Olympic feature brought athletes’ movements into readers’ homes, making their strength and precision something viewers could observe at scale, in context, and up close.
Conclusion
AR marketing reflects how people choose to connect—through interaction, relevance, and memorable moments. The most effective campaigns are built with intention, shaped by real behaviour, and designed to create value in the moment. As expectations evolve, so should the way brands invite people into their world.
Ready to create immersive campaigns that connect on a deeper level? Partner with digital marketing agency Newnormz to bring your brand to life through AR-driven strategies. Contact Newnormz today for real engagement, lasting impact, and measurable results.
