How Brands are re-entering lockdown lives with just a photograph

With recent research showing that 69% of British adults are now working from home at least some of the time, you might have started to notice an increase in the use of virtual backgrounds. Whether you're using Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or other conferencing software, the ability to hide your background can be a huge benefit to busy families and to those of us who have found their study being taken over by others as we now find ourselves working in the kitchen.

Brands have correctly identified an opportunity to re-enter our lives

Brands have correctly identified an opportunity to re-enter our (now digital) lives, offering us 'virtual spaces' to work in. From Starbucks locations and Nintendo's Animal Crossing to Pixar's Toy Story and Marvel's Tony Starks Lab, there really is something for everyone!

Let's take a look at a small selection of the brands who have made high quality imagery available to customers for FREE in the hopes of popping up in your team meeting pretty soon...

Starbucks (Link Here)

Offering both still photography and motion-graphic backgrounds, Starbucks is hoping that digital workers will invite the coffee brand into digital meetings worldwide. From beautiful imagery of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan to a moving image of a Starbucks coffee cooling in one of its beautiful coffee shops; you might struggle to make it to the end of your meeting without reminiscing about your last sip!

Walt Disney Studios (Link Here)

It's always nice to see a background a co-worker has picked that quickly helps you to get to know them better. With Disney+ recently surging to 1st place in 'most loved brands' it's no surprise that given the need to stay in lockdown has encouraged many of us to revisit some of our favorite characters. From Toy Story to Up and Inside Out to Finding Nemo, the only trouble you'll have is picking just one to show at a time!

Airbnb (Link Here)

For those of us who adore visiting new places, lockdown has been particularly tough. But if you're looking for something to scratch that travel-itch then Airbnb's virtual background offerings may be of interest to you. From the Bali and Indonesia to Cuba and New Zealand, there are properties for everyone to make your co-workers more than just a little bit jealous throughout your next meeting.

Marvel (Link Here)

Sometimes your living room, study, kitchen or garden simply doesn't create the right energy and emotion in your team meetings. If you're working on a project that is going to completely change the world you need to be in a local similarly as incredible. Marvel is here to help; from old comic books to Tony Stark's lab itself - channel your inner superhero and discover your next virtual background in the Marvel Universe.

NBC: The Office (Link Here)

Definitely one for those looking to move up the career chain (Perhaps you'll finally become assistant to the Regional Manager?) and for those who can't get enough of NBC's The office. Take your pick of two scenes that fans of the hit-comedy will immediately recognize.

(Remember to shout 'MICHAEL!?'' If you do use this background)

Nintendo (Link Here)

Some companies have found success by repurposing existing assets like digital wallpapers. Nintendo has simply driven awareness of their 'Nintendo Wallpaper Collection' for those of us who simply can't get enough of franchises like Animal Crossing, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Pokémon Sword / Shield.

National Geographic (Link Here)

The beauty of National Geographic's video conference backgrounds might cause a drop in productivity but they are by far some of the most incredible images available to use as we continue to work remotely with our friends and colleagues. From Yellowstone National Park to Madagascar - I cannot put into words just how fantastic these look as backgrounds in calls!

This is just a small collection of work from brands hoping that you pick their backgrounds for your next call. Will you be trying any of these backgrounds out or will you continue to stick to the default offerings? Have you been trying out alternative backgrounds throughout lockdown? Share your existing set-up with others in the comments ??