🧬 How Many Virtual Influencers Are There?
Plus a virtual influencer appeared at Cannes + meet Publicis Group’s new virtual employee
Welcome back to The Splice 🧬 by VirtualHumans.org: a weekly newsletter curating the latest news, developments, and insights in the virtual influencer space.
(Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here)
🧬 Core Strands from This Week
How Many Virtual Influencers Are There?
🔎 The Synopsis: If you’ve ever scrolled through our directory of virtual influencers, you may have wondered, “How many virtual influencers are there?” Today, we’re answering that question for you.
🧬 The Splice: Did you know that in 2014 there were only 9 documented virtual influencers? In our latest article, find out how many exist today and how fast the industry has grown.
🌟 Virtual Brand Campaign Spotlight
Virtual Influencer ‘Zero’ Speaks at Cannes Day 3
🧬 The Splice: Virtual cyborg, Zero, took the main stage at Cannes on June 22nd. He lead a conversation with WGSN’s Head of Insights, Joe McDonnell, on the future of influencer marketing. The two discussed what brands need to know when working with virtual influencers or creating one, brand safety in the metaverse, and more.
🔭 What We’re Looking at This Week
Virtual human launched to warn people of dangers of dengue fever
🔑 Key Quote: “Many Thai netizens had been wondering who an enigmatic girl, named Ingma, is and her relevance, after the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Department of Disease Control (DDC) jointly released her image on city hall’s webpage with the statement: ‘Want to know why millions of people gave rise to this girl? Find out the answer on June 15th.’” — Thai PBS World
The company behind PUBG shows off its ‘hyper-realistic’ virtual human
🔑 Key Quote: "‘We expect her to attract the interest and popularity of Gen Z around the world,’ Josh Seokjin Shin, head of Krafton’s creative center, said in a statement. ‘Ana will release an original music track and expand her scope of activity as an influencer into various areas across entertainment and esports.’” — The Verge
French Ad Agency Appoints Virtual Lion as Chief Metaverse Officer
🔑 Key Quote: “French advertising and public relations giant Publicis Groupe France has appointed a virtual being named Leon as its chief metaverse officer. Leon is a humanoid lion who only exists in digital space, including an official LinkedIn profile, but Publicis Groupe decided he would be the best guide to the virtual worlds of the metaverse and Web3.” — Media Week
Best,
VirtualHumans.org
Insights by Makena Rasmussen, Christopher Travers, and Astrid Hiort.