News from the 2012 Smart UK Project

blippar adds m-commerce to AR-advertising

1 Mar 2012 | No Comments | posted by Gary Marshall | in MWC 2012

Smart UK Project finalist blippar has already touched on the how it is trying to monetise mobile through its AR-ads at the UKTI’s seminar programme at Mobile World Congress. The company has added an m-commerce dimension to its mobile AR and image recognitions technology called Blipp to Buy enabling users to buy items featured in their blip-supported advertisements.

Blipp to Buy has already been trialled in the UK with Tesco, ASOS, IPC Media, Domino’s Pizza and Aer Lingus and according to blippar the click-through rate has been higher compared to that of traditional internet banner ads and paid search ads. The service is being rolled out with other well-known brands.

Ambarish Mitra of blippar says: “Brands and media owners have begun to appreciate the potential of our technology to bring their products to life and get immediate engagement from consumers. This is a major step forward in m-commerce and we believe it’s got the potential to become a significant new sales channel for brands across the spectrum, while also creating a new revenue stream for publishers.

“We expect Blipp to Buy to become one of the key services we offer to brands as the benefit to them and their customers is so clear. The results we’ve had in the trials so far have been very encouraging and we think the response rate can only improve as this consumer behaviour spreads.”

blippar has been exhibiting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona at the  UKTI Stand, AV35