The last time you scrolled through social media, you probably saw an influencer or a celebrity promoting a new product, right? This has been going on since the rise of social media. But what if we tell you the next big name to boost a brand's digital marketing might not even be – REAL, … in a way?
Meet the rising stars of the digital world – the 'Virtual Creators.' These are AI-generated aura of a human-like virtual avatar with a face, super-cool animations, and a massive following. And this is not some futuristic possibility, right now, there are no. of virtual creators making waves, capturing the attention of millions, and partnering with major brands.
Wondering how you can use them for marketing your products? Let's begin by understanding what these are first.
What Are Virtual Creators?
A virtual creator is a digital personality, computer-generated influencer, or avatar designed to interact with the audience much like human influencers do. You can think of them as an animated character with a social media presence or an AI-driven persona that brands can use to connect with their target customers.
Types Of Virtual Creators
- CGI Influencers: There are many hyper-realistic personas who look like humans but are completely fictional, such as Liam Nikuro, Shudu Gram, and Lil Miquela, who collaborate with high-end fashion brands and share personal storylines.
- AI-Generated Brand Mascots: These are playful and stylish avatars meant to represent companies. The most famous one is KFC's CGI Colonel Sanders, which is a reimagined digital version of the founder of the fast-food chain who engages in witty posts and brand promotions.
- Interactive AI Chatbots: These are not visual characters. They are more like chatbots, such as Meta's AI-powered assistant, which chat with customers, answer their questions, and recommend products in a personal way. Some brands may offer animated chatbots to make interactions more engaging.
Virtual Vs. Traditional Influencers
Unlike traditional creators, these don't physically exist (they are entirely digital) but are meant to interact with target audiences, endorse products, and shape cultural conversations. These are scripted and curated within a controlled environment, never age, and don't face personal scandals or unpredictability, making them a reliable choice for digital marketing.
Why Are Virtual Creators Gaining Popularity?
Here are some of the benefits of using non-human influencers for your business:
A. Cost-Effective: These are affordable brand ambassadors who don't come with hefty price tags like celebrity endorsement fees, contracts, travel costs, and logistical expenses. Virtual creators eliminate these types of financial burdens as companies don't have to spend money on flights, hotel stays, or production crews.
Moreover, once developed, these can be used forever without any salaries or renegotiations, which brings long-term sustainability.
B. Brand Control And Consistency: One misstep or a controversial statement can derail a digital marketing campaign with human influencers, and virtual creators offer complete control over messaging, appearance, and interactions. As a brand, you have full control over representation and in maintaining a polished image of the brand.
C. Targeted Audience Engagement: A brand can create a virtual creator to fit a specific demographic and design them with personalities and aesthetics that sync with the target customers in an organic and relevant way, such as gaming enthusiasts (e-sports), fashion lovers, tech-savvy users, etc.
D. Innovation, Customizable, And Future-Forward Image: Positioning your brand along with a virtual influencer sends a signal that you are innovative and adaptable. You can tailor these virtual avatars to showcase your company's values, product style, and brand voice, making your business stand apart from competitors.
E. 24/7 Available: Marketing does not take a break, nor does a virtual influencer. The human creator has limits like schedule conflicts, vacations, personal issues, and biases; a digital influencer remains consistent and active all the time. They can post, engage, and promote content all year round, ensuring a constant brand presence without any pause.
How Can Businesses Use Virtual Creators?
Launching a virtual influencer from scratch can be a big investment, so it is best to start small. Here are some tips for SME businesses:
- You can explore collaborations with existing virtual influencers before you commit to designing a brand-specific virtual character. This will reduce the upfront cost of marketing.
Tip: If you want full creative control, you can work with CGI designers or AI development agencies to craft a virtual ambassador that suits your industry. - It is important to identify your brand needs. For example, what kind of message do you want to convey? Who is your target audience? Which platform do they use the most? By answering these questions, you will be able to strategically create a virtual influencer tailored to your specific needs.
- Learn about what type of virtual creator will suit your brand the best. We have discussed them above. You can choose between a CGI influencer, a digital mascot, or a simple yet interactive chatbot.
- Leverage digital virtual creators to enhance your customer service by acting as an AI-powered assistant. You can research existing avatars to know which ones align with your brand's value and messaging tone, which feels less robotic and more engaging.
- Having a strong and consistent social media presence is important for any growing business today. This can be efficiently done by a virtual creator, ensuring a steady output without scheduling problems or personal controversies.
Success Stories of Companies Using Virtual Creators
Here is what you can learn from some of the major players:
- Prada And Lil Miquela – This virtual influencer appears in fashion campaigns, shares brand-sponsored content, and engages with the audience like a real influencer.
- Samsung AI Assistant – It blends virtual characters with functions that go beyond marketing, guide users, assist in navigation, and give a personal touch to AI-driven customer service.
- KFC CGI Colonel Sanders – KFC transformed its iconic Colonel Sanders into a virtual influencer with a playful twist while keeping its brand's identity intact. You can enjoy memes, promotional posts, and brand storytelling on your Instagram page.
- Styledotme MirrAR – It is an AR (augmented reality-based) platform that lets users virtual-try-on fashion brand products like jewelry, clothing, etc., before buying. Users can virtually try a product and view it from different angles before buying it.
Challenges And Ethical Considerations When Using Virtual Creator
1. Authenticity Concerns: Can a virtual creator build genuine trust? Will the audience connect with a character that does not exist in the real world? Generally, people tend to trust through interactions, lived experiences, and human emotion, which a virtual influencer may lack.
So, what can marketers do? First, they need to have a rich backstory of the avatars, such as giving them hobbies, opinions, and evolving narratives that feel organic instead of robotic. Next, the virtual creator must engage with the audience consistently by mimicking real influencers, such as by sharing thoughts, answering comments, and participating in chats, to reinforce legitimacy in the online space.
2. Transparency: Authenticity is the key in today's era. So, it is best to disclose AI-generated brand ambassadors to inform users what they are engaging with. As a brand, you can educate your target consumer about the purpose and function of virtual creators to earn credibility.
3. The 'Uncanny Valley': Ensure to avoid 'almost-human' design problem. What is it? You see, people instinctively recognize when something looks nearly real but slightly off. This can cause discomfort or disengagement. So, make sure the digital avatars are intentionally stylized instead of overly lifelike.
You can opt to balance realism with appearance without trying too hard to mimic a human imperfection. Also, use smooth and natural movement in animations instead of stiff or unnatural appeal, and create an emotionally engaging personality that 'acts more like a human' than 'looks like a human'.
Create Your Unique Brand Identity With AI To Connect With Customers
Make virtual creator your new spokesperson in this virtual sea, coming straight out of a movie, but very real. From offering you cost-effectiveness to ironclad brand control, it gives you the benefit of tapping into new and engaging audiences. And the best part is, you don't need a Titanic-sized budget to get started by collaborating with an existing virtual influencer.
So, don't be left behind! Harness AI-driven brand ambassadors now.
