TechMagic starts off the year with an inspiring interview to help you get your creative endeavors started in 2024.Hackl interviews Jeffery B. Madoff, author of Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas. Creatives can control their careers whether inside corporate America or launching something new in 2024. Get inspired with great ideas and creativity in the new year. Jeffery Madoff is an Adjunct Professor at Parsons School of Design, keynote speaker, playwright, and producer.Come for the tech, stay for the magic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about Murderbot Diaries, a Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book series. Hackl and Kebler discuss the Figma Adobe merger failure. Hackl and Kebler talk about  Marriott Bonvoy Land in Fortnite and Asgard’s Wrath 2 in VR. OpenAI suspends ByteDance’s account. Kebler tries to break ChatGPT 4. Hackl and Kebler discuss Epic, Meta, and Unity joining the Alliance for OpenUSD. Hackl interviews Nick Vinckier, Director of Corporate Innovation at Chalhoub Group.Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe.Show Notes:Apple is adapting the Hugo Award-winning sci-fi book series MurderbotFigma and Adobe are abandoning our proposed mergerFortnite’s Marriott Bonvoy Land is a ghost town of video game sadnessVR’s killer app has finally arrived” - IGN gave it a perfect score and called it a masterpieceOpenAI suspends ByteDance’s account after it used GPT to train its own AI model.Alliance for OpenUSD Unveils Roadmap for Core USD Specification and Ecosystem CollaborationNick Vinckier on LinkedInThe hottest new climate technology is bricksSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this week's episode, the EU becomes the first governing power to enact laws around artificial intelligence. Next, Hackl and Kebler discuss an article in the NY Times that focused on using AI to talk to the dead. Hackl talks about the benefits of AI for historical preservation. Also, ‘Tis the Season for Gaming and VR, as Hackl and Kebler discuss the success of the Fortnite x Lego collab and how the Meta Quests outsold AirPods on Amazon’s Black Friday sales. Hackl interviews Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos, founder of Abundance Studio. Kostopoulos is a strategy and emerging technology advisor. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe.Show Notes:EU Reaches Agreement on New “AI Act”: The World’s First Comprehensive AI LawUsing A.I. to Talk to the DeadAI Can Reshape the Physical World—If We Regulate It ProperlyFortnite x Lego Official Launch TrailerWould you believe a VR headset outsold AirPods during Black Friday? It happenedDr. Lydia Kostopoulos on LinkedInLatinas pioneras en la IA: dando forma al futuro, un algoritmo a la vezWant to Trick an LLM? Try Asking It Nicely or Use Argentinian SpanishDLD Conference in MunichSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about games, musical avatars, and the ecological impact of generative AI.The musical group, Kiss, retires to leave the music to their avatars. Hackl shouts out Future Chicken, a game developed by Catherine Winder and Annabel Slaight. Kebler discusses the environmental impact of generative AI prompts from MIT. Hackl and Kebler segway into the Eminem Fortnite concert. Hackl interviews Irena Cronin, Co-Founder & SVP of Product at DADOS Technology. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe.Show Notes:Kiss say farewell to live touring, become first US band to go virtual and become digital avatarsKids Want Digital Currency And Subscriptions More Than New Games This XmasThe Game Awards trailer gets us hyped for the games of 2024Fortnite’s Eminem concert teased the future of the gameA former Lucasfilm exec created this time-traveling chicken to help kids cope with climate changeMaking an image with generative AI uses as much energy as charging your phoneIrena Cronin on LinkedInWho wants to farm potatoes in the metaverse? Exploring Roblox’s corporate hell-worldsSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about a possible Lego x Fortnite launch, Fortnite partnering with Oakley, Fortnite Creative and the importance of thumbnails. They also discuss gesture technology, like the early “slide to unlock” to today’s double tap on the Apple Watch. Hackl gives her reaction to the Vario XR 4 and they discuss the spatial computing sessions at AWS re:Invent event. Kebler and Hackl talk about an article from The Guardian that talks about women in AI, and Cathy wishes for more Godmothers of AI.Hackl interviews Zoe Scaman, founder of Bodacious on gaming, Gen Alpha, and the multiplayer brand. Show Notes:Everything you need to know about the Lego x Fortnite collabVarjo XR-4 Promises Mixed Reality "Practically Indistinguishable From Natural Sight"Will Hand Gestures Replace Touchscreens and Keyboards?Most advanced virtual and mixed reality headsets for professionals – VarjoFinnish startup Varjo launches new $3,990 mixed-reality headset to take on Apple, MicrosoftAWS re:InventSave the Date: Spatial Computing at AWS re:Invent 2023Where are all the ‘godmothers’ of AI? Women’s voices are not being heardSubscribe and Share:Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over the weekend, Sam Altman was fired from OpenAI and a lot of tech news and tech drama unfolded over the last few days. Hackl and Kebler share their thoughts on OpenAI, Altman, and why the big losers of this news story are potentially the users. Hackl shares her first article published in the Harvard Business Review was just published and shares why it's about more than just mixed reality, it’s about the future of human-computer and human-to-human interaction, and yes, AI is at the core of Spatial Computing. The hosts also chat about Roblox’s latest virtual fashion report, and also how a TikTok makeup trend might be just a fad or could be the future. Hackl interviews Greg Kahn, CEO at GK Digital Ventures and President and CEO at Emerging Tech Exchange. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe. Show Notes:What Leaders Need to Know About Spatial Computing (by Cathy Hackl)A Wearable World (by Cathy Hackl & Lily Snyder)FIU and tech futurist Cathy Hackl announce the launch of Virtual Fashion Design Endowed ScholarshipRoblox’s 2023 Digital Expression, Fashion & Beauty Trends ReportTikTok Trend - makeup from the uncanny valleySwallowable device to track vital signsScientists invent micrometers-thin battery charged by saline solution that could power smart contact lensesSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about the Mac Pro Mini and developing for the Apple Vision Pro. Hackl attended the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards and why we’ll eventually see more people from tech at fashion events. The conversation of fashion and AI leads Hackl and Kebler to share their views of the Humane AI Pin released on November 9. Kebler is wary of voice control as the main control for technology devices. Hackl interviews Cynthia Miller, Head of Innovation at 11:11 media. Producer Lily Snyder brings you the Dispatch from the Fringe. Key Highlights:1:00 - Podcast intro with co-host Lee Kebler.1:22 - What we did last week: Hackl talks about her time at the CDFA awards. Lee and Hackl discuss the Humane AI pin. Humane AI Pin, fad or future?17:00 - Should wearables be singular devices that do things very well? 18:00 - OpenAI Dev Day and GPTs.24:40 - Guest interview with Cynthia Miller, Head of Innovation at 11:11 Media44:00 - Dispatch from the Fringe47:45 - OutroShow Notes:CFDA AwardsHumane AI PinGeneral MagicCynthia Miller on LinkedInRats Use the Power of Imagination to Navigate and Move Objects in a VR LandscapeSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathy Hackl and guest host Lee Kebler are back with episode five of TechMagic, the show that dives deep into our tech futures and current tech and gaming news. In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about the new Beatles song made possible by machine learning. Hackl talks about playing video games with her kids. Hackl and Lee talk about Fortnite which released an OG map that generated 102 million hours of play and broke records. Zumba is coming to virtual reality and Kebler’s grievance with VR fitness subscriptions. Hackl interviews guest, Pico Velásquez, Founder and CEO of VIIRA Inc.Producer Lily Snyder comes back with the Dispatch from the Fringe. In this segment, Snyder shares the weirdest story in tech this week. VR is going to space!Key Highlights:1:00 - Podcast intro with co-host Lee Kebler.1:22 - What we did last week: Lee The Beatles released their final song, “Now and Then”. Used machine learning to separate vocals from old recorded tape. Cathy plays video games with her kids and the benefits of playing together and is getting ready to attend the CFDA Awards in NYC, one of the biggest nights in fashion. 13:01 - Fortnite and the gaming industry: Launched an original Fortnite map. 44.7 million players 102 million hours of play. 20 - Tech and Sports: Sports is evolving. Flag Football will be an Olympic sport. Zumba will be released on virtual reality. 29:13 - Guest interview: Cathy speaks with Pico Velásquez, Founder and CEO of VIIRA Inc.  56:29 - Architectural design in spatial computing. Keebler and Hackl talk about engineering design as a vertical for spatial computing.57:20 - Dispatch from the Fringe1:00 - 1:04:50 - OutroShow Notes:The Beatles SongWhy you should play video games with your kidsAs OG ‘Fortnite’ Breaks Records, ‘Call Of Duty’ Players Want Verdansk Or Blackout BackFlag football will be part of 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Here’s what to knowPico Velásquez on LinkedInHTC’s Vive Focus 3 has a new, far-out mission: astronaut mental healthSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathy Hackl and guest host Lee Kebler are back with the fourth episode of TechMagic, the show that dives deep into our tech futures and current tech and gaming news. In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about President Biden’s AI executive order and AI governance. They discuss Humane’s AI wearable that is to launch on November 9, ask ChatPGT questions about mental health and reminisce about Call of Duty which turned 20 this year. Marriott releases a map in Fortnite. Plus, which are a fad and which are the future?Hackl interviews guest, Ari Peralta, CEO of Arigami, about sensory design.Producer Lily Snyder comes back with the Dispatch from the Fringe. In this segment, Snyder shares the weirdest story in tech this week.Show Notes:Use the code TECHMAGIC30 for 30% off Adweek’s NexTech event.One AI Device to Rule Them AllBiden’s AI Executive OrderPeople are speaking with ChatGPT for hours, bringing 2013’s Her closer to realityCall of Duty turns 20Marriott Launches a Virtual City in FortnightWhat is Prenuvo? Ari Peralta on LinkedInArigamaRyanair in Roblox Hits 1 Million Virtual FightsSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hackl and Kebler talk about artificial intelligence in the music industry and the ethics of using lyrics to train AI. In a separate segment, they talk about Apple and AI.The discuss Hackl’s visit to The Sphere in Las Vegas for opening night and the gaming industry taking over The Sphere during TwitchCon. Plus, which are a fad and which are the future?Key Highlights:6:41 - 9:10 - What we did last week: Cathy visits The Sphere in Las Vegas. Lee attends the Augmented Enterprise Summit.  9:11 - 20:07 - AI and the music industry: The ethics behind using lyrics to train AI. Using AI artists to mimic real people and pushing the boundaries of musical innovation.    20:08 - 32:41 - The Vegas Sphere. The outside of The Sphere displayed ads for Microsoft and Sony during TwitchCon. Cathy gives us her first-hand account of seeing The Sphere on opening night. Can brands and artirts repurpose their Sphere content?32:42 - 38:34 - AI and Apple: Is Apple playing catch up on generative AI? Lee thinks so. Cathy thinks Apple is always one step ahead, they just don’t show their cards. 38:35 - 39:21 - Break  39:23 - 57:30 - Guest Interview with David Armano: Cathy interviews David Armano, Senior Director at Soul Machines about AI and Armano’s perspective on the future of work.57:43 1:00:50 - Dispatch from the Fringe with Producer Lily Snyder: Genetically modified silkworms produce bionic spider silk. It’s a spiderverse out there!1:00:51 - 1:03:18 - What Cathy and Lee are dressing up as for Halloween and the new FNAF movie. Show Notes:The Music’s First Reckoning with AIApple, caught by surprise in generative AI boom, to spend $1 billion per year to catch up: ReportInside Apple’s Big Plan to Bring Generative AI to All Its DevicesXbox and PlayStation battle it out at The Sphere David Armano on LinkedInSilkworms modified to make spider silkSubscribe and Share:www.adweek.com/podcasts/tech-magic/Cathy Hackl on LinkedInLee Kebler on LinkedInLily Snyder on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cathy Hackl and Lee Kebler are back for the second episode of TechMagic, the show that dives deep into the technology journey from fashion to space. In this episode, Hackl shares a guest interview with futurist, Faith Popcorn and talks about AI and Faith’s storied career and work with brands.Kebler gives us a sneak peek reaction to the Meta Quest 3. Hackl and Kebler discuss how long it should take to make a video game and how Gen Z and Gamer moms are changing gaming expectations. Microsoft became the third-largest video game company in the world with its acquisition of Activision. AI wearables keep coming but which form factor will be the winner?Follow Cathy on LinkedInFollow Lee Kebler on LinkedInSubscribe to TechMagic on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of TechMagic, Cathy Hackl, tech futurist, visionary, and pioneer, and technology lead Lee Kebler shared their insights on the latest stories in gaming, AI, and fashion tech. Their discussion guides businesses and brands on how to discern which are fads and what is the future. Hackl and Kebler discuss the retirement of Unity’s CEO, John Riccitiello, and the future of game engines. They talked about what brands need to look out for when they launch online video games like Fortnite. They moved on to artificial intelligence and voice print rights. Finally, Hackl and Kebler went into space with Prada and Axiom Space.Follow Cathy on LinkedInFollow Lee Kebler on LinkedInSubscribe to TechMagic on your favorite podcast platform.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Cathy sits down with Avery Akkineni, President of Vayner3. At Vayner3, Akkineni is leading the mission to guide the world's largest enterprises in navigating the next iteration of connected consumer behavior.During the conversation, they discuss her work, what she thinks about AI, and her vision of the future.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus episode, Cathy sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk, serial entrepreneur & chairman of VaynerX. During the conversation, they discuss everything from Metaverse, Web3, AI, and beyond.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The metaverse is still in extremely early development-it feels almost like a party that just started. How does its audience grow? How can it improve upon issues in the current iteration of the internet? Companies are focusing on a human-centered development paradigm, with an almost anti-big tech attitude. This episodes explores how Web3 and Meta can reach more skeptical audiences. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year's New York Fashion week featured some interesting concepts incorporating web3 and the metaverse. Video games like Roblox and Second Life have skins and avatars that are expressions of how players present themselves. Fashion, web3, and the metaverse are inevitably meeting at an intersection that celebrates creativity and self-expression.In this episode of Metaverse Marketing, we explore how the world of fashion is expanding into web3 and the metaverse and how companies can meet consumers with new experiences. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You have probably felt some major shifts around work in the last couple of years. Quarantine, economic downturns, quiet quitting, and even more transitions in the labor market than ever before. Just about everyone's job has changed in some way, and developments in metaverse technologies promise that things will just keep changing.In this episode of Metaverse Marketing, we are going to explore how the world of work and education are expanding and what you can do to keep up.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Metaverse market opportunity could be in the trillions of dollars, and every brand is trying to make sense of what this means to them. Unlike past financial opportunities, this one comes with entirely new ways to make money and even new types of money because the definition of value itself is changing.In this episode of Metaverse Marketing, we'll talk to Web3 and metaverse pioneers about the different approaches to commerce that they are experimenting with and the new commerce models that are evolving. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a brand marketer, you are always looking to connect with as many audiences as possible, but have you ever felt like you're missing touch with what the new generations want? Maybe you thought you could prove you were in on the joke by throwing in a, how do you do fellow kids? Only to realize that meme is now 10 years old. The world is changing and so are our brands' audiences. On this episode of Metaverse Marketing, we're looking at how the Metaverse and Web3 can help you develop new customer journeys to reinvigorate your brand and meet your audiences where they are.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered if you have someone out there in the world that looks just like you? A study from a research institute in Spain found that most of us have several lookalikes out there. Why do we share this with you? Because the same is becoming true for our physical world.Technology has helped us map many streets and roads, which we use to navigate to our destinations on a daily basis. But much more than meets the eye is happening underneath the surface. We are creating digital twins of our cities, neighborhoods, and even our homes.On today's episode of Metaverse Marketing, we investigate how Metaverse technologies are bridging the physical and virtual worlds, allowing individuals to literally change their surroundings.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You may know a lot of metaverse skeptics or you might be one yourself.For many people, the metaverse conjures up visions of lonely, unhappy people wearing VR headsets to escape reality. While we hope that through this podcast, you come to realize that the metaverse and web3 are so much more than people in headsets, the feeling is understandable. After all, the term "metaverse" does originate in a dystopian novel.Today on Metaverse Marketing, we're talking dystopias and utopias, the fears that can sabotage your brand's foray into the metaverse, and how we can make the ideals of web3 and the metaverse a reality.Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the second season of Adweek's Metaverse Marketing podcast. We are excited to dive deeper this season into how the metaverse is changing our world both on and offline. In this premiere episode, host Cathy Hackl explores what it truly means to build a community and why it is such a hot topic in Web3 and the metaverse. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHacklSubscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform!You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts.Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts.And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We started this journey in an effort to better understand where the future of the internet is heading, as well as to help you explore the metaverse. And just as we were doing that, something quite interesting happened.Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, announced that the company will become a metaverse company and marked the shift with a name change to Meta. If ever there was a timestamp in history, this would be it. While Facebook may be a part of that journey, as we've heard it time and time again from experts throughout this season, no one company will own the metaverse and no one person's vision for the future of the metaverse will prevail. We're all building it together.But what will the future of the metaverse look like? In episode 8 of Adweek’s Metaverse Marketing podcast, we explore what the next decade of the metaverse will look like, how it will enable new kinds of ontological exploration, how brands can future-proof their businesses and enter the metaverse, and the implications of the metaverse on future generations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was May 2019 when Dutch startup, The Fabricant, made a splash on the fashion scene with the debut of their Iridescence dress, a luminous cape-like gown that glowed with highlights of purple. But this was no ordinary dress. The Iridescence dress is a digital asset that was auctioned on the blockchain for $9,500 and delivered by digitally tailoring the dress onto the photos of the buyer. For those paying attention to what is happening in the fashion industry, it was this sale that made us rethink what is valuable in fashion. In episode 7 of Adweek’s Metaverse Marketing podcast, we will discuss what fashion could be when divorced from physics and explored only as a creative expression, how direct-to-avatar might just be the next direct-to-consumer, and perhaps the most important question of all, what will you wear in the metaverse? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the American digital artist known as Beeple sold a digital artwork at Christie’s Auction House for over $60 million, it became the most expensive NFT ever sold at an auction. It was a metaverse moment that crystallized the hype surrounding this new form of digital media. But what exactly is an NFT and why are they so important? NFT stands for non-fungible token and is essentially a unique and noninterchangeable unit of data stored on a digital ledger such as the blockchain. These tokens can be linked to anything from art, texts, video or even bits of code. So, what does this have to do with the metaverse? In episode 6 of Adweek’s Metaverse Marketing podcast, we will explore the rise of non-fungible tokens, how they have impacted the worlds of art, fashion, collectibles, and real estate, their place in the metaverse, and how they can unlock new opportunities to engage with audiences, as well as new revenue streams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if it was possible to walk the halls of Hogwarts, explore the deserts of Tatooine, or be emersed into J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth? Would you want to explore one of these imaginary worlds? "People like the idea of an escapist experience, whether that be on TV, in a video game, or on some kind of shared virtual space,” says Anshel Sag, Principal Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy. “I think that helping people to momentarily escape reality is really what entertainment's purpose is." The metaverse presents itself as a realm of infinite possibilities and opportunities to make those dreams a reality, but how we get there is still being established. In episode two of Adweek’s Metaverse Marketing podcast, we explored how collaboration and co-creation are important aspects of digital citizenship in the metaverse. In episode four, we discussed how gaming is building its rules and infrastructure. Today we're looking at gaming's close cousin, entertainment, and how it's the glue holding everything together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When most of your time spent with others is on digital platforms, is your digital identity a better representation of who you are than your physical identity? As we look forward towards the future, our avatars will play an increasingly important role in how we enter the metaverse and how we represent ourselves there. "The purpose of the avatar inside the metaverse is to really truly look inside ourselves," Kelly Vero says. The avatar can become an exploration of the self, but it can also give us the opportunity to be multiple selves, explore multiple identities, or different facets of identity at once. In the metaverse, everyone can create a unique identity, no matter how similar or different to your physical appearance and IRL identity. Identity is oftentimes heavily influenced by culture. And the culture of the past 30 years has been informed largely by one thing—the internet. The internet and the evolution of social media have made way for all types of conversations about identity, self-determination and even gender. So how will the next evolution of the internet—the metaverse—inform our identity in the future? That's the question we'll explore in this week's episode of Adweek's Metaverse Marketing podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to 2021 research from Statista: 38% of video game players are ages 18 to 34 and 7% are 65 years and older. In 2021, women accounted for 45% of gamers in the U.S. And lastly, two out of every five people across the world are gamers. They're not only your kids, but also your aunt, friend, and possibly even your grandma. You need to look no further than gaming to start seeing your first glimpses of the metaverse. Gaming—and particularly multiplayer games—have paved the way for the metaverse, especially when it comes to infrastructure. So much of internet culture is driven by fun and games, so it makes sense that the next evolution of our digital lives will continue to be shaped by gaming culture. However, gaming as we know it is just the beginning. While early experiments are linking the blockchain to gaming, there's still no universal standard for an economic system in the metaverse, which makes it messy and hard to pin down. As you'll hear on this episode of Adweek's Metaverse Marketing podcast, once we agree on such a system for transferring money and ownership, a whole new world of opportunity is likely to be unlocked. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.