What Are Virtual Influencers & How Are They Transforming The Way Content Is Created?
Influencers are set to go virtual. Or, well, more virtual than they already are!?
Virtual influencers are transforming the way content is created and the rate at which it is made, feeding the need of consumers for round-the-clock availability.
But what are virtual influencers, and how are they made??
What are virtual influencers??
Virtual influencers, also called digital or AI influencers, are computer-generated fictional characters that can be used for various marketing-related purposes, but most frequently for social media marketing, instead of human influencers.
These virtual personalities have a social media presence and interact with the world from a first-person perspective.?
There are three main types of virtual influencers: non-humans, animated humans and life-like CGI humans, as stated by The Conversation.?
Who is India's first virtual influencer??
India's first virtual influencer is Kyra, who was soft-launched in 2021, but her official date of birth is January 28, 2022.?
With her location set as Mumbai, she has amassed 250K followers till now. Her Instagram bio reads 'Dream chaser, model and traveller'.?
She has been featured on the digital cover of Travel and Leisure, India and has done several brand endorsements so far with brands like Amazon Prime Video, boAt and John Jacobs.?
How are virtual influencers created??
Virtual influencers are created by 3D artists using CGI (computer-generated imagery), motion-capture technology and AI tools.?
Creators, artists, and developers work together to design and animate these characters.?They are often given distinct personalities, backstories, and interests, making them more engaging to their online audience.?
Kyra was created by a 26-year-old engineer/ MBA from Chandigarh, Himanshu Goel.?
Why the need for virtual influencers??
Virtual influencers are cost-effective. While an actual human influencer may charge hundreds of thousands of dollars for a promotional post, one 2020 estimate suggested virtual influencer Lil Miquela charged a more reasonable ?6,550 (currently about $12,600), according to The Conversation.?
Further, they can be taught to be diverse, i.e., programmed to speak any language.?
While virtual influencers are?currently co-existing with human influencers, it seems?they can only partially replace the latter?soon.?
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