🧬 The First Virtual Influencer with Down Syndrome is Here
Plus, learn 5 ways virtual influencers earn money + how Roblox is incentivizing users to attend the Charli XCX virtual concert.
Good afternoon!
Welcome back to The Splice 🧬 by VirtualHumans.org: a weekly newsletter curating the latest news, developments, and insights in the virtual influencer space.
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🧬 Core Strands from This Week
Kami is the First Virtual Influencer with Down Syndrome
🔎 The Synopsis: The organization Down Syndrome International (DSi) partnered with virtual modeling agency The Diigitals to bring Kami to life.
🧬 The Splice: Kami's appearance is based on photographs of over 100 real women with Down syndrome. Those women are known as “Kami Contributors,” and they decide everything from what she wears to her captions.
5 Ways Virtual Influencers Earn Money
🔎 The Synopsis: Virtual influencers have more ways to earn money than just brand campaigns. In this week’s article, Astrid explains five potential revenue streams for virtual beings.
🧬 The Splice: Virtual influencers are commercial chameleons who can easily adapt to any product or brand. There are endless opportunities to monetize their virtual influence, from selling life insurance one day to promoting their new single the next.
🌟 Brand Campaign Spotlight
Virtual Artist Polar Preforms in Avakin Life App
🧬 The Splice: The online 3D social app Avakin Life has invited back virtual influencer and music artist Polar back for a second virtual concert. This Friday, May 27th, Polar will debut her new single, “Hack My Heart.” Subscribers to Avakin Life will be the first to see her performance—a fair incentive considering that her last concert drew over 680,000 users in attendance.
🔭 What We’re Looking at This Week
Charli XCX to Play Metaverse Concert on Roblox Platform
🔑 Key Quote: “The concert, which starts at 7 p.m. Eastern, is the culmination of a five-week virtual event comprising mini-games and other digital challenges. Players can create pop star avatars and send them into the “Superstar Galaxy.” Completing tasks inches players up the leaderboard, with winners invited to join Charli XCX on the virtual stage. Along the way, her avatar provides tips and encouraging messages.” — PitchFork
Game companies set eyes on virtual human projects for non-gaming biz endeavors
🔑 Key Quote: “Smilegate Holdings, developer and publisher of online multiplayer titles, such as "Crossfire," "Epic Seven" and "Lost Ark," has also announced its virtual human, named Han YuA, and has released a single music track last month under YG KPlus, a subsidiary of K-pop agency YG Entertainment.” — Korea Times
How Lu from Magalu Became the Biggest Virtual Influencer in the World
🔑 Key Quote: "There are many options for virtual personalities on social networks available for people to follow and idolize, so why do people choose her? The answer is: Her storytelling and her faithfulness is real, and as a virtual influencer she offers amazing things to the people.” — Little Black Book
Best,
VirtualHumans.org
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Insights by Makena Rasmussen, Christopher Travers, and Astrid Hiort.