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Social-Powered Hugging Chairs

The Outback B-Day Chair Lets Your Friends Hug You Through Facebook

— July 3, 2013 — Marketing
Bringing emotionless online birthday messages to life, the Outback B-Day Chair lets your friends hug you virtually. The interactive chair has two outstretched hands to hug the birthday girl or boy. Friends who couldn't make the celebration can use Facebook to send a hug without actually being there. A tablet in front of the chair takes a picture of the reaction so that hug senders can feel like they're actually there.

The B-Day Chair was developed by ad agency Lew’LaraTBWA in order to promote Outback Steakhouse in Brazil. Lew’LaraTBWA created the chair to position Outback as a place where special moments are made and celebrated. By adding a physical touch to digital messages, Lew’LaraTBWA is helping a younger generation get back in touch with the real world.
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Hugging - The trend of virtual hugging is disrupting the way we interact online, creating opportunities for businesses to enhance emotional connections with customers.
2. Physical-digital Integration - The integration of physical and digital experiences is disrupting traditional marketing methods and presenting new opportunities for creating immersive brand experiences.
3. Emotion-focused Technology - The trend towards emotion-focused technology is disrupting the way we communicate and creating opportunities for businesses to tap into emotional experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can harness the power of virtual hugging and physical-digital integration to create memorable customer experiences, build emotional connections, and foster brand loyalty.
2. Hospitality - Hospitality businesses can leverage emotion-focused technology to create immersive guest experiences that tap into the emotions and create long-lasting memories.
3. Advertising - The Outback B-Day Chair demonstrates how advertising agencies can use technology to create emotionally resonating campaigns that engage audiences and promote brand values.
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