Conducting in-depth research on our clients showed us their business needs, what keeps them up at night, the technology they use and where they access information. We extracted cross-client data such as the desire to learn about new technologies and barriers to the latest devices. Because of this, we knew our clients were ready to learn about research, especially tech research, in a new format.

Our clients typically consume data in flat, 2D formats, and reports include many 2D charts and graphs as well as statistics such as revenue growth and adoption rates. By creating our VR experience, we were able to bring these statistics to life, allowing them to fully appreciate its transformative potential. Yes, they saw the number, but more importantly felt the impact of the statistic through visually stimulating and exciting representations. For example, through surrounding the viewer with soaring gold bars, clients felt the encapsulating effect of the revenue potential rise from $5bn to $162bn. We took great care to identify the data and industries from 148 pages of research that would resonate with our clients. And we’re proud to say, we’re the first in our industry to create a VR experience about VR.

Data is so important to our clients; they live for it. The strategy was to express the staggering statistics surrounding the industry in an intelligent yet exciting way and to create a VR piece that educated all our constituents: institutional investors, corporate management and the general public. When designing this, we had to make it visually compelling; content a client would watch. In total, we have over 13 statistics throughout the piece, making data visualization a vital part of the education and film. We wanted our clients to connect with the intensity of these statistics and really feel how this technology will make an imprint on their lives and their investing strategies.

The VR piece originated as a PDF report, and then flourished into an all-encompassing campaign that includes the VR film, web, advertising, SEO, influencers, social, PR, 1x1 meetings and events, with data visualization a core component of each. We even created new data, by polling our clients and then reporting the findings immediately in an infographic. Our social strategy relied heavily on data with about 50% of our social posts focusing on the critical data culled from the report but presented in a differentiated way.

Data, Data, Data! This VR was all about the data, and through strong data visualization, we were able to capture and hold our core audiences, having them watch the entire 4 min video until the end. Our clients appreciated seeing the data in a fresh and dramatic way, and we had requests for the VR at events, sponsorships, 1x1 meetings and client presentations. We connected the clients to the data in an emotional way, which had never been done before. We started a new conversation about consuming content and data on this new medium and how that will impact their businesses going forward.

#3 most viewed VR on Samsung.

Best performing webpage in BofAML history.

Best performing social program in BofAML history.

Best performing ad unit in BofAML history (custom 360 VR ad unit).

Hosted over 55 educational events teaching over 24,000 people.