The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is one of the top annual events for computers, videogames and all related products. E3 convenes every year, but the most recent one took place from June 13 to 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Even though the event is all about games and similar trends, marketing professionals can learn a lot from E3 and all the related trending topics.
4D Event Graphics and Banners
It’s important that we take notice of what the leading companies are doing to learn (and steal like an artist ). One trend that’s really obvious when you look through photos of E3 2017 is bringing 4D to banners and making it an area that is cool to take pictures with.
For example, Call of Duty had WWII background graphic but in front of the banner was a similar object that was also in the graphic. Allowing visitors to stop by and take pictures as if they were part of the battle.
This isn’t a new trend by any means but it’s still effective and it especially plays well with an audience where social media is an influential platform.
So when you’re designing event graphics, think about 1) would passer-byers want to take a picture with this and share on social and 2) what aspect do we want to bring to life for people to interact with.
Try Something New
One hot trend that showed up at E3 2017 was that videogame developers are willing to try new, cutting-edge things to get ahead of the competition. For example, Ubisoft changed up the “Assassin’s Creed” series with the release of “Assassin’s Creed: Origins.” The series itself is over 10 years old, but Ubisoft made course-correction changes that really mix the game up and make it fresh and modern.
What you can learn from this is that you should try new and interesting things in your own marketing efforts. Don’t be scared to think outside the box. Just because you’ve always done a particular promotion at events doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up and do something different next time.
Create Some Buzz
One way that companies create excitement at E3 is by letting people try out their new games and products onsite. Even marketing companies can learn from this technique. Create a virtual, game-like display that allows potential clients to try out some of the campaigns you offer. If they let you take over social media, how many new followers might they gain? The more interesting and interactive you can make your display, the more likely people will be to remember it.
New Innovations
At this year’s E3, Microsoft unveiled more advances in their Kinect software, showing more mature game themes and improved technology, such as head-tracking and voice commands. Microsoft wants to expand their Kinect market, so sharing new advances is a smart move — especially at an event where it will generate a lot of buzz.
You can copy Microsoft’s ambition by letting people know what’s new with you or your clients and how this will change their world as they know it.
E3 is an interesting collection of software companies, new technologies and advances in computer science. Spend a few minutes at this conference and you’re sure to walk away feeling inspired to come up with some new ideas of your own. Even walking among the exhibition booths will teach you a thing or two about how to grab the interest of potential customers.
Feature image by BagoGames.