It’s official! MediaHouse a certified Layar partner

MediaHouse is now a Layar Certified Partner, cementing its foothold as market leader of augmented reality technology in Bermuda.  

The media company, which includes Bermuda Sun, Island Press and bermuda.com, became the first in the country to launch augmented reality (AR) in March and now becomes the first in Bermuda certified by Layar, a global AR technology developer. AR allows readers to make print digitally interactive via the Layar app on their smartphones and tablets.

“This designation is an example of our company’s commitment to augmented reality and the technology’s expected growth over the next five years,” said Glenn Jones, MediaHouse general manager.  

“We’re in this for the long haul. We want to grow our expertise and share it with our advertisers and readers.”

The certified partnership provides MediaHouse and its subsidiaries with added technical support, client referrals and insider information on new technology trends. Layar will also help MediaHouse grow its augmented reality product offerings with opportunities in 3-D and geo-targeting, for example.

Layar co-founder Maarten Lens-Fitzgerald said: “Layar is happy to have MediaHouse as part of its Layar Partner Network. They have shown they are great with the design and production of AR content.  

“With partners and augmented reality specialists such as MediaHouse, the medium of augmented reality is a sure thing in revolutionizing print marketing.”

The April cover of bermuda.com Guide featuring a flyboarder, as well as two advertisements inside the magazine, caught the eye of Layar and the company has featured the publication on the inspiration page of its website.  

Similarly, the March 26 edition of Bermuda Sun was featured on Layar’s blog to announce a new “frontier of interactive print”.

Layar is based in Amsterdam and its app is used in more than 200 countries around the world. In North America, it has offices in New York and Toronto. About 38 million people have downloaded the company’s free app which, as of March 26, can be used for interactive print experiences in the Bermuda Sun, bermuda.com Guide, Island Property News and in products printed at Island Press.

Lili Bermuda, Crystal Caves, PW Marine, Cranfields Property and Lennon Bermuda are among the local companies already using augmented reality in their print advertising. The City of Hamilton has begun using AR technology in its event signage.

“We’ve learned very quickly that with augmented reality the possibilities are truly endless,” said Mr Jones.