Old Thinking = Old Results

The marketing landscape is a battlefield, and traditional tactics are starting to resemble cavalry charges in a tank war. We need new strategies to reach today's savvy consumers. Enter AI influencer marketing: a revolutionary approach that leverages the power of artificial intelligence to create impactful, data-driven campaigns. Forget outdated methods - AI influencer marketing offers a glimpse into the future of engagement, promising to reshape how brands connect with audiences in a dynamic and results-oriented way.

Old Thinking = Old Results, that's why I am so pumped up and inspired by the creator of imma.gram, Aww Inc.

Imma Gram, known as @imma.gram, is a virtual human influencer. She represents a new era of influencers—ones who are crafted, not born, yet as real in influence as any human star. Created by Aww Inc., imma is leading the charge in the virtual influencer revolution.

Imma's recent collaboration with Lil Nas X and Coach has taken the virtual influencer world by storm. The "Find Your Courage" campaign is a digital odyssey that follows Imma as she embarks on a transformative quest, exploring the unique virtual realms of various ambassadors. Each encounter unveils a distinct "superpower" – a vital lesson that guides Imma towards discovering her own authentic self. In a pivotal moment, Lil Nas X imparts a game-changing insight: the courage to rewrite the rulebook rather than conforming to existing norms. This empowering message resonates deeply, encouraging viewers to embrace their individuality and challenge conventional boundaries.

The campaign masterfully blends virtual and real-world elements, showcasing the evolving landscape of digital marketing and the growing influence of AI-powered personalities in shaping brand narratives and consumer engagement.

As we witness the meteoric rise of AI-driven innovations across the globe, I find myself increasingly inspired by imma.gram, Japan's first virtual human and model. However, Southeast Asia seems to be lagging in the development of intelligent AI influencers capable of engaging in meaningful dialogue and answering complex questions.

This observation leads me to reflect on Gary Vaynerchuk's recent comments about AI adoption (Source: GaryVee YouTube Video). Gary V. astutely points out that organisations often only embrace new technologies when they feel the pain of not doing so. This pain can manifest as lost market share to more tech-savvy competitors or struggle to keep pace with evolving consumer behaviors.

The social media revolution serves as a perfect illustration of this principle. Initially dismissed as a secondary marketing channel, social media has now become an indispensable tool for businesses. Companies that were slow to adapt are now scrambling to catch up, feeling the acute pain of their initial hesitation.

Gary V.'s prediction that AI will become so ubiquitous that we'll cease discussing it as a separate entity is particularly poignant. Just as we no longer explicitly talk about "the internet" as a novel concept, AI is set to become an integral, almost invisible part of our daily lives and business operations. Its impact will be felt across every sector and by every individual.

However, this impending AI revolution brings with it a concerning paradox. As humans increasingly prioritize work-life balance and mental and physical well-being – undoubtedly positive developments – we may inadvertently be creating a vulnerability. The reduced willingness to engage in the intense work often necessary to compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace could potentially leave us exposed to replacement by AI in various professional spheres.

This situation presents a unique challenge and opportunity for Southeast Asia.

The region has a chance to leapfrog into the AI era by developing its own intelligent AI influencers and embracing AI technologies across industries. By doing so, we can not only keep pace with global trends but also create solutions that are tailored to our diverse and unique markets.

The development of AI influencers in Southeast Asia could serve multiple purposes:

• Cultural Representation: AI influencers designed with local cultural nuances in mind can better connect with regional audiences.
• Economic Opportunity: Creating a thriving AI influencer industry could open up new avenues for tech entrepreneurship and job creation.
• Educational Tool: These AI entities could serve as accessible sources of information, helping to bridge knowledge gaps across the region.
• Competitive Edge: By embracing AI technologies, Southeast Asian businesses can position themselves at the forefront of global innovation.

By embracing AI and developing our own intelligent digital entities, we can ensure that Southeast Asia doesn't just keep up with the global AI revolution – we can lead it.

The influencer marketing landscape is expected to grow into a 24.5 billion market globally, underlining the potential brands and advertisers see in it. Content creation has seen some remarkable changes, particularly through the advent of AI influencers.

Virtual Influencer Market Size & Trends (Source: Grandviewresearch)

The virtual influencer market is growing really fast. More and more people are using social media and virtual influencers (that’s computer-made characters that act like real people) are getting more popular, too. This means companies are finding new and creative ways to reach their customers with these characters.

In 2022, the market was worth $3.60 billion. In 2030, experts predict it will grow even bigger, at a rate of 38.9% per year. This shows that people are interested in this type of marketing.

Which regions are leading the Virtual Influencers Market?

• North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia and Turkey etc.)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)
• Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)

Source: 360 Research Reports

If you're interested in general information about virtual influencer marketing and industry report, you might request a free report via this link.

What are your thoughts on the potential of AI influencer marketing in Southeast Asia?

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AI Influencer DouDou

DouDou has virtually tried on over 397 outfits so far. She promotes sustainable fashion and is interested in collaborating with fashion designers. If you're a designer looking to work with her, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

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