#3 What’s good in NFT/Metaverse
Edition # 3. This week we've got a Cannes Lion winner from downunder, Qatar Airways enters the metaverse, more ownership moves with IP rights and downloadable files for NFT owners, the NBA goes metaverse mobile, a few tips from me and some research I'm following... Let's do it:
Metaverse & NFT projects that stood out & why
Australian Open tennis metaverse wins Cannes Lion
Australian Open Metaverse won the first Cannes Lions for the NFT-Metaverse project in partnership with Run It Wild. Bringing “a warm Australian summer vibe through the computer screen,” fans joined a Decentraland party during the tournament (a 1st for a grand slam) with an immersive journey through Melbourne Park, behind-the-scenes footage, historical matches and daily quests with PoAP badges and wearables. The generative tennis ball art NFTs featured utility such as real match data integration, metaverse access, airdrops etc. More here and here.
MY TAKE: A great event-based activation to engage fans in new ways. Exciting utility for NFT holders, metaverse onramps with unique experiences. Worthy for me. Go Aussie!
Qatar Airways to launch NFTs & metaverse ticket purchases for flights
Qverse lets passengers virtually visit and navigate the Premium Check-in area at the International Airport of Hamad (HIA). Qatar says these experiences reflects passengers’ desire for immersive content that can empower their decision-making before buying a ticket, and are often eager to discover the aircraft they will fly. Last year, Qatar Airways became the first airline in the Middle East to adopt the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Blockchain Digital Passport.
MY TAKE: Even though they don’t accept crypto payments yet (Emirates plans to), Qatar could become the first web3 airline. Interesting first steps here, driven by customer insight which can often lead to first-mover advantage.
Nike’s RTFKT studio hands over files & IP rights to Clone X NFT owners
A new Era begins: 3D Files, Full Commercial Rights, It’s time to CREATE says RTFKT with these IP moves similar to the Bored Apes. “We envision a future where Clone X owners tag team with 3D artists, become Vtubers / Superstars, and create their own wearable web3 fashion brand”. Holders can download files of their Clone X NFT in multiple metaverse-ready formats.
MY TAKE: Community is everything for new and existing brands. Empowering holders with mind blowing value and benefits ignites even further passion and enthusiasm around a brand. Doodles said at SXSW that community is the new brand and this is the first time for real digital ownership (see my SXSW recap here.).
NBA announces geo-located mobile metaverse experience with Niantic.
Niantic (makers of Pokemon Go) are firm believers of a real-world metaverse — a digital overlay to the physical world grounded in augmented reality. They want people to stand up, walk outside, and connect with people and the world around them. With NBA All-World players can “find, challenge and compete against today’s NBA ballers in their neighborhoods, then recruit them to their team before proving themselves on the virtual court”.
MY TAKE: The location-based mobile game aspect is super interesting. I remember Pokemon Go driving thousands of people to Santa Monica Pier at midnight on a Tuesday. Imagine if NBA All-World could connect players to unlock real-life pickup games at neighbor basketball courts. I could picture the final game taking place at the Venice Beach courts in CA… and being live streamed by my mates at BallerTV.
A few of my tips & insights
How to approach metaverse conversations with brands.
After a recent metaverse presentation to a big brand, I laid out my approach to these conversations — and what goes into my decks. See tweet thread below:
How to build empathy in the metaverse — anchoring to a shared ‘place’.
Check out my guest post on Mark Pollard’s Sweathead Strategy Accelerator on how the metaverse can fill a void and bring a sense of togetherness when we’re remote.
Research I’m following
MIT declares Metaverse: Open for business.
“If a company thinks ‘this isn’t for us,’ they are not going to survive. Every company needs to find a place in the metaverse.”. This piece outlines the uptake and opportunities associated with the metaverse by the one and only MIT. Some great projects and use cases.
Vayner & Reddit release the ABCs of NFTs.
Is this the playbook to navigate the future of the internet? This 42 page piece is packed with terms, strategies, predictions including data points from Reddit. Includes a section ‘NFTs like I’m 5' for newbies — reminds me of my Web3 101 Overview presentation where I included sections on ‘How to explain it to Grandpa’. Grab it here in PDF or editable presentation format (Powerpoint & Keynote).
That’s it. Thanks for being here. Share this with a curious friend 👍.