First Look: See Facebook’s 360-Degree Video Ads For AT&T, Samsung & Others
Facebook tests 360-degree video ads with selected brands and gives people the ability to see the format on iPhones and iPads.
Facebook isn’t resting on its 8-billion-video-views-a-day laurels.
The next step is 360-degree video, and today the company announced several updates that highlight its push to introduce more of the immersive video format into the News Feed.
Of most interest to marketers is the testing of the first ads using the virtual-reality-like format with a handful of brands, including AT&T, Samsung and Walt Disney World. We’ve embedded the ads below.
Facebook pointed to more publishers using 360-degree video, including ABC News, BuzzFeed, Frontline and Nickelodeon. Facebook has also launched a microsite to give brands and video creators help in producing 360 video. The site features best-practice advice from VR experts Chris Milk and Aaron Koplin.
For Page admins, Facebook has added 360 video control settings within the uploading interface. Page owners will now be able to edit the initial camera position and vertical field of view before uploading their 360 videos.
Starting today, 360-degree videos will be viewable on iPhones and iPads, after the user updates the iOS app. At launch in September, Facebook’s 360-degree video was only visible on desktop and Android. For a full immersive experience, the videos are also now viewable on Samsung VR Gear devices.
Such advances will give people more reasons to interact with the format. And Facebook is hoping to encourage more people to shoot and post 360 video, working with camera makers such as Theta, Giroptic, IC Real Tech and 360 Fly to create in-app “publish to Facebook” options. That should make it more likely that marketers without huge production budgets are able to try out the format.
For now, though, the publishers posting 360 video are all major enterprises. And Facebook is testing 360 video ads with a selected group.
“We continue to develop capabilities that allow marketers to tell deep and immersive stories through sight, sound and motion,” Facebook vice president of global marketing solutions Carolyn Everson said in an emailed statement. “We are excited to work with these fantastic partners to push the boundaries of what’s possible for marketing on Facebook.”
Here are the first 360-degree ads:
Corona
Nescafe
NESCAFÉ #GoodMorningWorldWhatever time, it’s never too late to pump up the volume and say #GoodMorningWorld HINT: move your phone! ;) ????
Posted by NESCAFÉ on Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Nestle
This year, step out from behind the camera and join in the moments going on all around you. They’re the memories that’ll last a lifetime.
Posted by Ritz Crackers on Tuesday, November 10, 2015
AT&T
Immerse yourself in Ben Albano’s 360° racing experience, and hear how he uses the AT&T network. #StrongCan #ad
Posted by AT&T on Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Samsung
From this height, do you feel excited? Or do you feel the fear? Walk in the sky in the palm of your hands with this immersive 360 experience. #BeFearless. Take part in Samsung VR experience and learn to conquer your fears.http://spr.ly/6188BP1fj
Posted by Samsung Gulf on Friday, October 30, 2015
Disney World
Walt Disney World Presents: How to Use 360 Video with Goofy!Join Goofy as he leads you through an exciting demonstration of 360-degree video technology, zapping you through a whirlwind tour of Walt Disney World Resort!
Posted by Walt Disney World on Wednesday, November 11, 2015
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