Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
Upgraded
Virtual
Brands are launching aesthetic backgrounds for elevated video-conferencing.
4.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the Upgraded Virtual trend?
Upgraded Virtual: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many professionals are working from home in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus, and have relied on video-chats to replace in-person meetings--where people have been using enhanced video backgrounds. Knowing this, brands are creating more of these functions for users to implement when video-conferencing.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Upgraded Virtual trend
The unexpected work from home period has left many professionals with a lack of dedicated workspace, resulting in many working in the living room, kitchen, or bedroom. These consumers still want to maintain an air of professionalism, which may be hard to accomplish in personal spaces where personal belongings and family are present. This demographic is turning to brands to provide digital solutions to mask their personal spaces with a more polished background that shield colleagues from seeing private aspects of each other's lives.
Trend themes
Themes within the Upgraded Virtual trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Virtual Backgrounds
Virtual backgrounds have become a popular trend for video-conferencing to help consumers maintain a professional image and privacy during remote work.
02
Customizable Backgrounds
Allowing users to customize their virtual backgrounds on video conferencing platforms presents an opportunity for innovative branding and creative expression.
03
Virtual Experiences
Offering virtual experiences, such as restaurant-inspired Zoom backgrounds, has become a trend for companies to engage with consumers during the pandemic.
Industry implications
What the Upgraded Virtual trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Technology
Virtual backgrounds require technological tools and platforms, presenting opportunities for growth and advancement in the technology sector.
For
Marketing
The use of customized virtual backgrounds has provided a new avenue for marketing and advertising for companies.
For
Hospitality
The virtual dining experience program created by DoorDash showcases an opportunity for hospitality companies to innovate and engage with customers during the pandemic.
Workshop question
How can your brand reimagine its services to accommodate consumers' new shelter-in-place lifestyle?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Upgraded Virtual
Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 71%, activity 64%, freshness 9%.
Popularity71%
Activity64%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Upgraded Virtual trend
6 featured examples from Mar 25 to May 14, 2020CategoryTech
Restaurant-Inspired Virtual Backgrounds
DoorDash's Zoom Backgrounds are for Virtual Dinner Parties
Food delivery companies can capitalize on the demand for home dining experiences by partnering with restaurants to offer virtual dining packages and experiences.
CategoryTech
Video Game Virtual Backgrounds
Nintendo Released Downloadable Animal Crossing Wallpapers
The gaming industry can capitalize on the popularity of virtual backgrounds by incorporating customizable features into their games, providing players with a more immersive experi…
CategoryArt & Design
Virtual Background Galleries
'Virtual Backgrounds' Offers Zoom Backgrounds for Video Chats
Video conferencing companies have the opportunity to provide new and innovative features to help their users customize and personalize their video calls.
CategoryTech
Enhanced Video Backgrounds
Behr Paint Made a Library of Virtual Backgrounds for the Zoom Platform
The creation of virtual background libraries by companies in the paint and home improvement industry allows them to showcase their products and adapt to new consumer needs.
CategoryTech
Comedic Video Conference Backgrounds
Men's Health Creates a Series of Zoom Backgrounds for Users
The media and publishing industries can develop their brands further and generate revenue by offering virtual branding services to companies for video conferencing tools.
CategoryTech
Expanded Video Call Backgrounds
Skype Has Updated Its Application to Offer Custom Backgrounds
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build software applications or plugins that enable users to easily customize their video call backgrounds and add interactive elements.
