Augmented Reality Extends Hotels.com's TV Effort

Hotels.com looks to make virtual vacations a little more "real" via the use of augmented reality technology to extend its television advertising campaign.

Beginning this week, the company has set up a microsite, www.virtualvacay.com, through which people can use their Web cameras and computer microphone to convert a special "glyph" on print and e-mail advertisements into scaled-down, 3D-animated versions of 10 U.S. cities including New York City, Denver, New Orleans and Las Vegas.

The augmented reality program uses Hotels.com's claymation mascot character "Smart" (voiced by actor Ed Helms) to guide people through these cities. While touring, users can take part in various unique activities, like getting married in Vegas, riding a bull in Denver or attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

via www.mediapost.com