Category
Tech
Delegated Interfaces
Trend cluster
Category
Virtual
Crowd
Companies are creating solutions to allow fans to attend live virtual events.
4.8
Trend score
Trend
What is the Virtual Crowd trend?
Virtual Crowd: Companies are creating technologically-integrated solutions that allow the public to attend live events, including professional sporting events, and live concerts. This was made possible through the use of video conference technology that can place people in the crowd, as well as virtual reality technology.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Virtual Crowd trend
With ongoing uncertainties around what the future will look like when it comes to health and safety, many people are looking for escapist activities to engage in as a coping mechanism. Escapist content can be more effective if it mimics what viewers are used to watching, and it can bring viewers a degree of normalcy into their lives.
Trend themes
Themes within the Virtual Crowd trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Virtual Crowd Attendance
Companies integrating video conferencing and virtual reality technology to offer people innovative ways to attend live events.
02
Digital Fan Experiences
Partnership between sports leagues and technology companies to allow fans to digitally participate in games, leading to more immersive and interactive experiences.
03
Digitally Rendered Crowds
Broadcast and animation companies are leveraging sophisticated software to digitally render realistic crowds for sporting events, enabling remote fans to enjoy a sense of normalcy and escape.
Industry implications
What the Virtual Crowd trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Live Events
Companies developing digital technology to allow fans to attend live events remotely, enabling recreation and entertainment industries to expand offerings and revenue streams.
For
Sports and Gaming
Sports leagues and gaming platforms partnering to offer interactive virtual events and fan experiences, redefining the way fans interact with sports and propelling the growth of Esports industry.
For
Broadcasting and Animation
Broadcast and animation companies investing in rendering and graphic technologies to create engaging, realistic content, revolutionizing the way live sports, events, and news are created and consumed.
Workshop question
How can your company leverage escapism?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Virtual Crowd
Trend score 4.8 out of 10, from popularity 76%, activity 59%, freshness 9%.
Popularity76%
Activity59%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Evidence
Examples of the Virtual Crowd trend
4 featured examples from Apr 18 to Jul 28, 2020CategoryPop Culture
Virtual Music Festivals
Music Lives is a Three-Day Virtual Event on Oculus Venues
The music industry will need to adapt to virtual events and streaming concerts, creating opportunities for new revenue streams for artists, as well as for event planners and produ…
CategoryTech
Virtual Crowd Beer Promotions
Michelob Ultra Launched Virtual Crowd Promotion with the NBA
Integrating virtual crowd experiences into live sports events can revolutionize the fan experience and create new revenue streams for sports organizations.
CategoryTech
Digital Fan Experiences
The NBA Will Rely on Microsoft Teams to Create Virtual Crowds at Games
The NBA's use of digital technology to enhance fan experiences could be adopted by other sports leagues and live events companies.
CategoryTech
Digitally Rendered Crowd Partnerships
Fox Sports Will Broadcast MLB Games with Digital Crowds
Introduction of new technology to make sports broadcasts more immersive and captivating to viewers.
