On 20 October, 2020, the Spark AR Team announced that Facebook is relaunching the Spark AR Network – the global program that helps brands connect and discover Spark AR experts all over the world.
There are over 400,000 creators in 190 countries in the Spark AR community, and its growth is timely. More and more brands are seeking out creators for AR projects, and more AR creators are able to earn from their creations. Seeing such a demand is what prompted Facebook to relaunch the Spark AR Network.
This is what the team had to say:
“Over the last two years, we’ve quietly nurtured this two-sided marketplace through strategic partnerships with select creators and brands, and today we’re excited to be formalizing and scaling our efforts with the relaunch of the Spark AR Partner Network, a global program designed specifically to help brands and creators successfully build Spark AR experiences… In addition to business development opportunities with brands, Spark AR partners will have access to Facebook’s product teams and technical support resources to help with projects, and will be invited to test and try new Spark AR features and capabilities.”
The team invited roughly 77 partners into the network, made up of both individual creators and agencies. The partners were analyzed for their skill, experience, creativity, and location, among other criteria. Globally, there are about 100 creators from 30 different countries in the program.
A new Spark AR Partner Network website was also launched to service the AR marketplace. The site is meant to help brands connect with Spark AR creators, and it is a space where creators can showcase their creations.
Billy Kelly, the CMO of V & Spark AR Partner, had this to say:
“The Spark Partner Network is providing us with all the necessary tools and education we need to build world-class AR. It gives us the technical info and access we need, it connects us with a community of highly talented creators, and most importantly, it opens up opportunities to work with brands that are serious about the future of augmented reality.”
Implication for Marketers:
Marketers can take advantage of the network to tap into the AR market and instantly get in touch with expert AR creators. AR is taking the marketing world by storm, and the relaunch of this partner network is set to foster better connection between brands and creators.
References: https://sparkar.facebook.com/blog/facebook-relaunches-spark-partner-network/
