Immersive platform uses metaverse to teach about the metaverse, generative A.I., and future of social interaction for consumers today and tomorrow
Today Minneapolis-based social media agency The Social Lights announced the launch of socialHQ, a metaverse outpost for discovery, education, and engagement designed to help explore the future of social media as a company and with clients.
The agency partnered with immersive experience agency REM5 STUDIOS to design a custom, experiential space that offers an in-depth exploration of how The Social Lights thinks, what they’re all about, and how they test-and-learn. The two-story event space can host more than 100 online users at once and features agency case studies, a 360° office tour, a keynote stage, a digital artist gallery, plus generative A.I. image and ChatGPT experiences.
“A great social media agency doesn’t just talk about the future; they create it,” said Greg Swan, Chief Creative & Strategy Officer at The Social Lights. “Although today’s social media marketing may center on newsfeeds and algorithms, we know Generation Alpha spends the majority of their recreational time online and in experiential social spaces like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite. socialHQ is a shortcut for our clients and teams to catch up on the ‘what’s next’ matched with ‘what’s now’ and adds context and utility amidst the metaverse and generative A.I. hype cycle.”
Launched internally earlier this year, The Social Lights has used this space for internal education, client events, thought leadership, new business and to further the conversation about how emerging technology will affect the future of social media. Visitors access socialHQ via computer web browser (no VR headset required) and can connect with others via both voice and chat.
For the second-floor gallery experience, The Social Lights partnered with StayNFTMinneapolis to curate a digital art exhibition from a diverse collection of local artists who are equally helping push the boundaries of creativity through new mediums – creating another educational and inspirational touchpoint for visitors. Artists include: Precious Wallace, Matt Semke, Jeremy Clark, Kelly Anderson, Natalie Champa, Phil Rosenbloom, Hannah Haugberg, Linnea Maas, Braden Lee, Erik Halaas, and Holly Grimsrud. The soundtrack for the experience is by local musician and producer Su Na.
“The evolution of digital brand strategy is relentless, and Gen Alpha has led us to the doorstep of the next paradigm shift,” said Amir Berenjian, CEO of REM5 STUDIOS. “As digital transitions to 3D, spatial, and interactive, we are fortunate to have a trusted partner in The Social Lights who have a long history of blazing trails with some of the most exciting brands in the world.”
Beyond the agency capabilities, keynote space, and artist gallery, socialHQ also boasts multiple generative A.I. experiences including the opportunity for users to create and share a new bespoke piece of artwork based on a text prompt and a ChatGPT-powered avatar that cannot wait to chat with visitors about the future of social media.
socialHQ is open to current clients of The Social Lights and can be viewed by appointment at hello@thesocial-lights.com.
About The Social Lights
The Social Lights is an independent social media agency that creates a competitive advantage for its clients by transforming social capital into brand equity. For over a decade, TSL has served a client roster that includes the most loved Fortune 100 and 500 brands by offering social-first strategy development, social media management, creative production, influencer management, media buying, and more. In all endeavors, TSL is guided by its core mission: Make things people want to share. The Social Lights was founded in 2011 and is a WBENC-Certified Women Business Enterprise. Find out more at https://thesociallights.com/
About REM5 STUDIOS
REM5 STUDIOS is a full-service, immersive experience agency that leverages emerging technologies to solve problems, tell stories, build brands and connect humans. Their flagship platform, SIMULACRA is an easy-to-use spatial web platform that prioritizes accessibility and helps companies and communities unlock the next generation of the Internet. Find out more at www.rem5studios.com.
