Verizon Media Immersive to power the future of 5G advertising and XR content

NEW YORK, NY - June 30, 2020 - Verizon Media, a leader in innovation, content and commerce, today announced the launch of Verizon Media Immersive, the largest online XR platform for advertising and content powered by 5G. From augmented reality (AR) to virtual reality (VR) to mixed reality (MR), Verizon Media Immersive allows partners, advertisers and Verizon Media’s portfolio of brands to create one-of-a-kind experiences by seamlessly connecting the physical and digital world. For consumers, Verizon Media Immersive transforms how content, commerce and advertising is consumed, allowing for 3D visualization of products and interaction with the ads.

The Verizon Media Immersive suite will accelerate the next generation of media and content experiences with the most scaled capabilities of any digital portfolio. Verizon Media’s suite of brands, including Yahoo, HuffPost and TechCrunch, reaches nearly 900 million global unique visitors monthly.¹ Verizon Media Immersive will amplify the creation, distribution and monetization of emerging XR formats. The suite will provide partners with authoring tools, a content library and search and e-commerce delivered through a personalized, interactive experience.

“The launch of Verizon Media Immersive unlocks new opportunities for our partners and advertisers by providing the latest AR and VR capabilities to help them connect and engage with consumers in a more impactful and interactive way,” said Guru Gowrappan, CEO, Verizon Media. “Leveraging Verizon Media’s ecosystem, technology and Verizon’s 5G network give us the ability to create a scaled XR experience like no other.”

Verizon Media Immersive will offer the following:

• 360 Experiences: Next-gen creation will open industry 3D standards and allow partners and Verizon Media brands to create one of a kind experiences to further their storytelling or connect a consumer more deeply with a brand through AR, VR and MR.

• Next-Gen Distribution & Monetization: For advertisers, Verizon Media Immersive delivers a scaled opportunity to merge physical products with the digital world using high definition, Hollywood-quality creative and video. Formats are built directly into Verizon Media’s properties and the Verizon Media Ad Platform, making it easier than ever to deliver 3D and AR campaigns across articles, search, affiliate, commerce, and branded content, and to track performance through industry-leading analytics.
• First to 5G Media: Powered by Verizon’s 5G network, the suite will allow creators to utilize formats ranging from volumetric capture, consumer MEC experiences, motion capture and more.

To date, Verizon Media Immersive content has been available through mobile app only. Now, as the demand for 3D and AR experiences has exploded, Verizon Media will integrate them across all of its products and services on desktop and mobile web, benefiting consumers, as well as advertisers and content partners seeking new ways to connect with audiences.

The launch of Verizon Media Immersive furthers its leadership in creating next generation immersive content through its Emmy Award®-winning production house RYOT, the first and only 5G production studio in the U.S. Recently, Yahoo News launched the first XR partner program amplifying original journalism through innovative formats bringing readers closer than ever to news stories around the world; bringing Yahoo News into the world’s largest aggregator of premium content and immersive journalism. Current premium partners include: USA TODAY, Reuters, LA Times, The Associated Press, TIME and NowThis.

As a leader in 5G, Verizon’s network enables the most powerful 5G experience with ultra-fast speeds and massive capacity --- this enables experiences to be more robust, blurring the lines between virtual and physical. The launch of Verizon Media Immersive continues the company’s investment in next generation content built on 5G.

² Source: Comscore Custom Reporting, Multi-Platform, Verizon Media (and Microsoft Partnership), April 2020, Global