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Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tech Advancements In Experiential Marketing
Swish Goswami, building the next big sci-fi franchise at Parallel Studios. Experiential marketing isn't new, but the way brands are activating now is at a totally different level. We're seeing companies go beyond billboards and banner ads to create tech-forward experiences that get people talking, sharing and remembering. This isn't just about pop-up shops or influencer selfies anymore. It's now about building striking moments that live both in real life and the digital world. Moments that make people stop, stay and share. As consumer expectations rise, brands are finding new ways to connect through events that are emotional, interactive and often powered by next-gen tech. Companies That Are Taking Experiential Marketing To The Next Level During the Miami Grand Prix in May 2025, the two brands pulled off an absolutely wild activation: 10 full-size F1 cars made entirely out of LEGO bricks. We're talking over 400,000 pieces per car that took 22,000 hours to build and was brought to life by a team of 26 designers. These LEGO cars were actually driven during the drivers' parade, turning heads and taking over every social feed that weekend. This is what next-level experiential marketing looks like and is the kind of stuff that grabs attention and actually gets people talking (social media is still buzzing over this). For LEGO, it was a flex in creativity and brand nostalgia, staying true to their brand's promise: 'Give people the bricks and they can build anything they can imagine.' For Formula 1, it was a smart move to connect with younger fans and families who might not normally be trackside. Coca-Cola rolled out an augmented reality (AR) vending machine that took things to a whole new level in 2024. Using Snapchat's technology, the company created a unique piece of technology that not only allowed users to purchase its iconic beverage but also "experience the magic as they play, engage, virtually try on exclusive merch, and explore trending Snap AR lenses." This one is just cool! It's playful, unexpected and totally reimagines what a brand interaction can look like. More brands should be thinking this way. Netflix is turning empty mall spaces into full-on Netflix House experiences, and it's honestly genius. Starting this year, the company is opening up massive venues (we're talking 100,000-plus square feet) in Galleria Dallas and King of Prussia near Philly. Fans will be able to eat at Netflix-themed restaurants, cop show merch and actually step into their favorite series, like dancing through the Bridgerton ballroom or taking on the Squid Game Glass Bridge. This is the kind of move that keeps fans well-connected beyond the screen. I can't wait to see it! 7-Eleven is going all-in on music culture this year with its exclusive partnership with Live Nation, locking in naming rights for major festivals like When We Were Young, Governors Ball and Rolling Loud. It's a smart move that shows how the brand is meeting the right moment and bringing the right vibe to the right crowd. It's all designed to connect with Gen Z and audiences through real in-person experiences. This isn't just about product placement—it's about showing up in culture and turning festivals into brand worlds. This isn't about logos on a stage—it's about showing up in culture and building something people remember. Anker absolutely nailed it at Coachella this year. As the official charging partner of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, it didn't just plug in a few outlets; rather, the company built a full-on power zone for campers. Its Supercharging Hub had everything from a claw machine full of power banks and exclusive merch to a solar-powered car camping showcase that felt super on-brand. This well-thought-out partnership really makes people appreciate the brand more. It's a great example of how smart experiential can look when it's done right. What Makes Great Experiential Marketing Work So what do all these activations have in common? They hit three key things: 1. They're worth showing up for. People actually want to be there—not just for the brand but for the moment. 2. They feel intentional. Nothing is random. Every detail adds to the vibe and makes it feel real. 3. They get shared. Whether it's a selfie, a story or just a memory, people leave talking about it and wanting to tell their friends about it. That's the blueprint. It doesn't matter if you're using AI, virtual reality (VR) or building something by hand—if you make someone feel something, you're doing it right (that is the essence of true marketing). In a world drowning in digital noise, this is how you actually show up. Experiential marketing isn't just a trend. It's a shift from the digital back to the physical. It's a reminder that the best brand moments don't feel like marketing at all—they feel like something you were meant to be part of. The future's not just digital. It's live. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The 'Agentic' Revolution
Swish Goswami, building the next big sci-fi franchise at Parallel Studios . getty AI is reshaping the world we live in, making rapid advancements in productivity and paving the way for even greater breakthroughs and discoveries ahead. Across various sectors, 'AI agents' are emerging as a major trend that's redefining the workflow in various industries. In this article, I will examine how AI agents are disrupting gaming, transportation, trading and software development. I genuinely believe that 2025 will be shaped by this technology and that the impact of AI agents will only continue to grow in the years ahead. In the gaming industry, AI is revolutionizing the way games are developed and experienced, from creating smarter NPCs and dynamically generated worlds to enhancing graphics, personalizing gameplay and ensuring fairness through advanced cheat detection systems. One standout example is our company's Parallel Colony , the world's first AI-driven game, where it's not just about playing, it's about engaging with a living, new system that evolves and reacts to players in real time, making every interaction unique to different individuals and gamers. From managing resources to crafting and defending against rival colonies, Colony transforms gameplay into a dynamic adventure where every session is a unique story. Imagine a game that's not just interactive but alive—that's what AI agents bring to the table. Another great example is AlphaGo by DeepMind. It was the first AI to beat a world champion in the board game Go in October of 2015, a game previously thought to be too intuitive for machines to master. That moment wasn't just historic; it set the stage for a new era of intelligent, agent-powered gameplay. Transportation: Smarter And Safer The transportation industry is another space where AI agents are making a big impact. From self-driving cars to smarter logistics systems, AI is transforming the way goods and people are transported. And while autonomous vehicles powered by AI are concerning, given that you'll trust a system to safely drive you or your goods, they are designed to navigate complex environments. These systems are continuously learning, reducing accidents and increasing efficiency. Meanwhile, public transit systems are also getting smarter, using AI to analyze passenger flow, reduce wait times and improve overall convenience. And this really matters, especially as our population keeps growing and urban areas become more congested. Let's take Singapore, for example. Its Smart Mobility 2030 plan is set to use AI agents to manage traffic flow in real time, optimize public bus schedules and predict travel demand across the city. It's a forward-thinking approach that shows how AI can make entire cities more efficient, accessible and responsive to the needs of the people. With technologies like this, the days of inefficiency and frustration in travel could soon be a thing of the past. AI is making transportation smoother, safer and more accessible—and it feels like this is just the beginning. Trading: Strategies With AI AI is transforming the financial world, and Wayfinder is an example of a platform leveraging AI to greatly improve user experience. This AI-powered omnichain tool our company created is changing the way cryptocurrency trading is done by analyzing market trends in real time, predicting price movements and allowing users to execute complex transactions with incredible speed and accuracy. Wayfinder is setting a new standard in trading, making it easier and more efficient for everyone, from seasoned investors to beginners. Another strong example is Numerai, a hedge fund where AI makes all the trading decisions. What makes it stand out, in my opinion, is how it uses AI agents to evaluate crowdsourced models submitted by data scientists around the world. It's a bold, next-gen approach that blends machine intelligence with human creativity, and it's working. In an industry as fast-paced and volatile as crypto, tools like Wayfinder and Numerai don't just make trading smarter—they make it more accessible and less stressful. I don't think traditional platforms can keep up with this kind of intelligence. And what's truly remarkable is how far we've come in integrating AI into everyday tools, making cutting-edge technology feel intuitive and approachable for everyone, not just experts. It's a glimpse into the future of trading—and the future is already here. Development: Simplifying The Complex In software development, tools like Replit and Cursor are leading the charge by using AI to simplify coding for everyone (including those who are nontechnical). Whether it's helping debug errors, suggesting improvements or guiding users with limited technical skills, these platforms show how AI can make complex tasks more intuitive. By integrating AI agents, they're not just improving functionality—they're transforming how people create, collaborate and innovate. Now everyone has the ability to build products that can provide other people value. Why 2025 Is The Year Of AI Agents The shift toward AI agents feels inevitable, and it is already happening. Platforms that adopt this technology are not just improving user experiences—they're transforming what's possible. Whether it's gaming, coding, trading or something entirely different, AI agents are about making life simpler, more intuitive and more productive. While I do believe there are challenges to address, like ethical use and ensuring accessibility, the potential here is too significant to ignore. The future isn't just about better technology—it's about better experiences for people. As we move further into 2025, I can't wait to see how platforms across industries embrace AI agents to change the playing field for all of us. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
