The popular outdoor apparel brand, The North Face, is teaming up with the cinematic virtual reality company, Jaunt Studios, to launch “The North Face: Climb.” The immersive virtual reality launch will cover Yosemite National Park and Moab, Utah. The footage will be available for all smartphone users via Google Play and iTunes and in retail locations in San Francisco and New York. Users will be able to watch The North Face athletes prepare for rock climbing and then continue on as they ascend.
Jaunt is a developer in software and applications that enable cinematic virtual power. This partnership with North Face aims to inspire customers with 360-degree video and audio experience. The footage will provide viewers with a look at majestic landmarks like Nepal.
With the SportTechie newsletter you’ll ever miss virtual reality impacting all kinds of sports.
The filming for “The North Face: Nepal” took place over two weeks with ranges from 914 to 6,096 meters in elevation. The footage features the brand’s most elite equipment for the toughest treks and is featured on athlete Renan Ozturk.
Ozturk begins his journey with Swayambhunath, aka the monkey temple, and Thamel, the commercial neighborhood, in Kathmandu. He then features the trek into the lower Khumbu glacier and ultimately, the Lobuche Peak. This is not an easy task, but users get to experience it with the athlete for free.
“Virtual Reality is a powerful medium that has the ability to introduce audiences to incredible people in amazing places,” said Cliff Plumer, President of Jaunt Studios. The immersive technology engages customers and makes them feel like they are about to take part of an adventure as big as Langtang Valley in Nepal.
Virtual Reality is currently trending in the sports world as it attempts to enhance viewing sports games and bring fans closer to their favorite teams. This is the first time a retail brand is using virtual reality to boost merchandise sales. This could potentially set the North Face up to build a connection with its customers through the alluring technology by making shoppers a part of the journey.
“At the North Face, we’re always looking for new and innovative ways to share our stories, as well as inspire our customers’ interest in getting outdoors. We’ve seen great success sharing VR in-store with the Moab and Yosemite film,” said Eric Oliver, Director of Digital Marketing, The North Face. “With this new Nepal footage, we’re excited to showcase the wonder of one of the most beautiful places in the world.”