Chipotle Breaks the Ice using Augmented Reality
The Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain used AR technology to create a unique commercial for the Avalanche’s second-round Stanley Cup playoff game against the St. Louis Blues. Displayed on the Jumbotron, the spot depicted a Chipotle-branded Zamboni bringing out a massive burrito bowl onto the ice. As it’s dropped on the ice, a giant gloved hand breaks through and grabs the bowl. The ad had notched about over 115,000 views on Twitter as of press time.
The creative spot builds on prior Chipotle campaigns that integrate its brand into virtual- or mixed-reality content, including several Roblox activations. The technology used in the Jumbotron stunt could also be applied to other platforms to reach a wider audience.
Insight:
Chipotle has sought to expand its reach through both sports sponsorships and virtual activations. In late 2021, the chain struck a multiyear deal with the NHL, making it the official Mexican-themed quick service and Mexican-themed fast-casual restaurant of the NHL in North America. The deal marked the QSR’s first major professional sports sponsorship.
In its latest tie-up with the NHL, the ad cleverly bends technology in a creative and memorable way that goes beyond typical stadium advertising. The campaign helps to keep in-person audiences engaged via entertaining content. The novelty of seeing a live feed of the rink getting attacked by a massive hand is bound to stay with viewers and has the potential for wider social media reach, as suggested by the view count on Twitter.
The ad marks a relatively new type of marketing activation for Chipotle. The merging of the virtual and digital worlds signals that Chipotle is not only looking for ways to stand out but also that it wishes to integrate its virtual and in-person efforts.
Chipotle’s ad with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche this week provides a familiar and innovative virtual element to a live event, while also posing the possibility for scaling and integration to other platforms.
And What Are You Waiting For?
What Chipotle has done is just one use of Extended Reality in the industry, there are countless other examples of different uses, and even more ideas, that haven’t been created yet. Have you thought of something? What use will you give to XR? At CaptivatAR we can help you both, decide what to do and actually make it real. Get in contact with us, and be assured you’ll have an innovative solution on your hands.
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