Storytelling has been an efficient medium for interactive communication. Starting with pictographs to deriving a standard text for easy expression, storytelling has been at the heart of the human mind.
From walking on the pavement holding books to eyes dipped into digital screens, the world has witnessed a fast-paced digital transformation. And, sprouting through the digital space, Virtual Reality has opened new opportunities for storytellers who desire to deliver upon a promise of interactive storytelling. But unfortunately, Virtual reality has focused more on the hardware segment rolling down the significance of VR content with a mobile-friendly experience.
Thriving through these challenges and being inspired with a vision to create a mobile-first VR experience led to the foundation of 2IMMERSIVE4U, co-founded by Dusan Simic as its CEO and Filip Milinkovic as the company’s President. The company envisions partnering with talented creators and charting the course for the adoption of VR in the anime space.
We at Insights Success interviewed Dusan and Filip to learn more about the technology leadership of 2IMMERSIVE4U.
Here are the key highlights of the interview:
Please brief our audience about 2IMMERSIVE4U and how it has positioned itself as a leading player in the AR/VR space.
Dusan: We started from a different angle than most companies that are strictly dependent on the hardware. VR is not a new thing. The format didn’t stick with the audience, so a different approach was needed. Our initial thought is to start from the content side, not the hardware.
Tell us more about your offerings through which you have ascertained your stronghold in the market.
Filip: Our unique approach in 360° and 180° is focused on story and accessibility. You can watch 2immersive4u videos on any device (mobile, pc, or laptop) and get the full immersive experience- enabling the audience easy access to these experiences. Our videos are perfect for marketing content, music videos & anime.
Dusan & Filip, please brief us about your journey in the AR/VR industry and how you have contributed towards 2IMMERSIVE4U’s success.
Dusan: I’ve come from the music industry, had 12 years of experience there, couple of rewards & Sony deal. I met Filip at the local hub prior to Covid, where he was leading the workshop about Digital transformation. They assigned him as a mentor, and I was blown away by his approaches and thinking, so I was like – I need to start a company with this guy. I thought he was like 25 or 26 years old; he was just 19 at the time.
Soon I’ve started posting online ads and using referrals from my friends to find the right guys for the projects. Now we have a remote team from 4 different continents.
Filip: This field is unique. In the last few months, we have seen the emergence of interest in the AR/VR space because of the metaverse, but the technology is not new. The initial VR wave started around 2015, and over the years, it slowly died down except in a few niches. I believe that what we do here at 2Immersive4U is of crucial importance. Together with all creators, we have a chance to redefine what AR/VR is and stir it in the right direction.
Being an experienced leader, share your opinion on why adopting modern technologies is necessary for AR/VR companies and how have you leveraged different technologies to deliver your offerings?
Dusan: AR/VR companies are largely already at the forefront of modern technologies. In 2Immmersive4U, we utilize modern tools to enhance our process. One of our favorite tools is Unreal Engine; we love what they do and all things they enable in this medium.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, what challenges did you face, and how did you sustain operations while ensuring the safety of your employees?
Filip: Pandemic didn’t impact us very much. We already have a remote team, and we have mastered that type of production. If anything, we could say that COVID-19 has opened many companies to be mindful of the cutting-edge technologies which play in our favor.
What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture into the AR/VR space?
Dusan: Before we all agree that adopting modern technologies is the key, we should maybe propose a different question: When is the right time for adopting? We saw in the past that first movers were right about future predictions, but sometimes being too early in the game can lead you to make all of the mistakes.
We advise budding entrepreneurs to build on the top of the mistakes companies make in this space and not to follow the mimetic desire, aka to try and copy other companies just because it’s popular.
For all aspiring creators in the medium, we advise not to limit creativity but to explore the medium outside of its set boundaries.
How do you envision scaling your company’s operations and offerings in 2022 and beyond?
Filip: Our process is currently patent-pending, and we are expanding to Southeast Asian markets. Our vision for 2022 and beyond is to partner with talented creators in the field of animation from that market and chart the course for the adoption of VR in the anime space.
Please give us a few case studies of your products, testimonials of your clients/customers, and awards/recognitions that accurately highlight your company’s position in the market. (If available/permissible)
Dusan: We’d like to point out to of our favorite case studies.
With Reactor 5, our first music video, we got Emmy nomination in the interactive media space. On this project, we partnered up with PeopleLink, a nonprofit from Cleveland, to support underserved families throughout Northeast Ohio.
With Mr. Memo, we took an old product from the ’90s and revived it using the modern medium. We utilized our unique format for the YouTube Ads and achieved a 10%-12% click-through rate, a 100% increase from the average click-through rate.
