Look What You Can Do by Virtually Test-Driving the PEN

CENTER VALLEY, Pa.,– To promote the amazing Olympus PEN® E-PL1 portable camera featuring professional digital single lens reflex (DSLR) image quality, point-and-shoot simplicity and high-definition (HD) video, Olympus has created an advertising campaign as innovative as the camera itself. The campaign introduces one of the newest and most groundbreaking media technologies: augmented reality, allowing the user a virtual 3D product experience with the PEN.

Just Like Having the Real PEN Camera in Your Hands
Readers of the June print issue of Wired and the July print issue of Popular Photography will find an augmented reality tip-in card shaped like the Olympus PEN (actual size). The camera card peels off the insert and serves as a marker for use in front of a webcam. Simple instructions for the demo are included and direct users to the Olympus augmented reality site www.getolympus.com/PEN3d.

The augmented reality demo experience enables you to see how simple and innovative this new hybrid camera really is by allowing you to virtually test-drive the PEN. The webcam acts as the camera’s lens. As you hold the camera card in front of a webcam and visit the augmented reality site, a dynamic 3D online product experience is launched where you can see yourself, interact with the camera and simulate product features. You can take pictures, shoot video, try the flash, utilize Live Guide, remove the lens and even use a variety of in-camera Art Filters with the virtual PEN, all while manipulating the 3D camera marker in your hands.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to purchase one of the magazines, look what you can do by simply visiting www.getolympus.com/PEN3d. Print a PDF of the camera card or simply watch a simulation. You can experience all the functionality of the demo along with narration.

“We know the importance of getting the product in the hands of the consumer, and wanted to offer them a rich and interactive experience. This encounter is similar to actually using the PEN, right from your personal computer. The augmented reality experience will allow you to realize the power and creativity of this small, easy-to-use and incredibly fun camera. It truly is powerfully simple,” said Mark Huggins, executive director, Brand Marketing, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Our advertising for the PEN aims to inspire and empower consumers by telling them, ‘Look what you can do.’ We believe showing is as important as telling when it comes to illustrating the camera’s features—and that’s exactly what the augmented reality technology enables. It’s the pro-quality camera for people like you.”

The E-PL1 incorporates six in-camera Art Filters, which offer the freedom to make your artistic vision an instant reality. Click on the top dial of the virtual PEN and capture still images and videos with five of them: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pin Hole, Grainy Film and Gentle Sepia. They can be applied to your videos or still images to, for example, achieve a 1960s-style, supersaturated color effect with the Pop Art filter, add mystery to your story with a Pin Hole perspective or recreate classic Film Noir with Grainy Film. The creative possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

Once you’ve captured footage with the virtual PEN, share stills with your friends, upload your videos to YouTube or post the entire PEN 3D site experience on Twitter or Facebook.

“Augmented reality has been used by companies before, but more as a gimmick than as an actual, working, in-depth product demo,” said Stephen Mietelski, SVP, group creative director at Mullen, the agency that worked with Olympus on the integrated campaign. “What sets the PEN augmented reality experience apart from everything that’s been done before is that this is such a rich experience of the PEN. It’s as close to having the camera in your hands as you can get without actually having it in your hands.”

The augmented reality PEN 3D is one of several digital experiences created by Mullen for Olympus. Olympus is investing in social media advertising on YouTube and Facebook to expand its social footprint and engage with consumers, utilizing video distribution networks such as SmartClip and YuMe and employing portals to leverage behavioral targeting. Additionally, the brand will have an online media presence on popular imaging sites.

For more details about the Olympus PEN augmented reality experience, as well as the advertising and social media campaign, visit http://www.getolympus.com/PEN3d, http://www.youtube.com/getolympus and http://www.getolympus.com and connect with us on http://Twitter.com/getolympus, http://www.Facebook.com/getolympus and http://www.Flickr.com/groups/getolympus.

ABOUT OLYMPUS IMAGING AMERICA INC.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances people’s lives every day. These include:

• Digital Cameras

• Professional and Consumer Digital SLR Imaging Systems

• Related Underwater Products and Accessories

• Digital and Microcassette Recorders

• Digital Media

• Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.