Virtual Brand Group expands The Voice’s omnichannel footprint to its third retail platform which collectively reaches almost 300MM consumers
Fans Worldwide Can Now Style Their Avatars using the Ready Player Me platform which reaches 10,000 different games and worlds globally
Collection exclusively available for a limited time in the HiberWorld game
LOS ANGELES (February 6, 2023) – The Virtual Brand Group (VBG) today unveiled The Voice’s first Hype Gear fashion line which is now available exclusively in HiberWorld through the Ready Player Me avatar creation platform (SHOP)
ITV Studios The Voice aired in over 150 territories around the world, making it the most distributed TV show worldwide. This latest collaboration is inspired by global street culture. It features an eclectic range of oversized hoodies, t-shirts and trend forward looks with bespoke imagery and silhouettes.
This Hype Gear collection is the next evolution in VBG’s expansion of The Voice brand to become a standalone global fashion label outside of the hit TV series.
Virtual Brand Group is also unveiling The Voice’s a new fashion game only available in HiberWorld (jump in PLAY) with a custom retail store, which allows fans to shop interactively, mix and match outfits, and be a coach in the iconic red chair and hit the red buzzer.
This collection and store represent Virtual Brand Group (VBG), a multi-award-winning metaverse pioneer known for building immersive experiences, communities and virtual fashion, and ITV Studios’ fifth virtual activation on four different platforms in just one year.
“Avatar retail is transforming fashion, self-expression and consumer behavior. Last year it sold over $14B and is projected to grow by almost another 50% by the end of this decade”, said Justin W. Hochberg, CEO of the Virtual Brand Group. “Our collaboration with Ready Player Me and HiberWorld opens up The Voice fashion line to another 50MM potential consumers. That’s 3x more fans than attended every NFL game combined this season; no offense Taylor Swift”.
“With a global reach to over 150 territories, The Voice is a powerhouse with universal appeal and a unique position at the intersection of music and fashion,” said Sean Kauppinen, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of Hiber. “It is a perfect brand for our community as our users look to identify and associate with brands and entertainment that represent them and reflect their interests in our growing network of 3D worlds.”
“HiberWorld stands out among apps integrating Ready Player Me as the go-to platform for brands looking to create unique virtual experiences for their customers,” said Timmu Tõke, CEO & Co-Founder of Ready Player Me. ”Fans of The Voice will now have a chance to interact with the brand in a completely new way while their avatars wear the Hype Gear collection pieces.”
About Virtual Brand Group
Virtual Brand Group (VBG) is an award-winning company that strategically accelerates consumer brands by innovatively leveraging the Metaverse across marketing, advertising, communities, games, fashion, and new products. Partners include Forever 21, Barbie™/Mattel™, The Voice™, NBC and XOMG POP. The team is credited with developing the world’s first physical fashion line that weas incubated as a virtual merchandise along with “Infinite Loop Marketing™”, the first-ever avatar-to-ecommerce program where items can be sold simultaneously in the metaverse and real life, creating new products and, in turn, new revenue streams faster than ever before. Licensing International awarded the company “Best Digital Licensed Product,” for its work building Forever21’s Shop City and has been featured in over 500 top-tier media outlets, podcasts and multiple innovation books. Click here for case studies on how VBG can accelerate your brand LINK
About ITV Studios
ITV Studios is a creator, producer, and distributor of world-leading programmes and formats that people can’t get enough of. Connecting millions of people every day and shaping and reflecting the world they live in, ITV Studios is More Than TV. Its Brand & Licensing department is responsible for all global commercial activities, including sponsorship, brand licensing, consumer products, gaming, and live events. It represents a diverse portfolio, including scripted and non-scripted content, game shows, and kids’ titles, which offer a wide range of commercial opportunities. Brands include The Voice, Hell’s Kitchen, Love Island, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, The Chase, Coronation Street, Schitt’s Creek, The Last Unicorn, Thunderbirds, Space: 1999, The Prisoner, and more. ITV Studios is home to some of the best creative minds, crafting over 6,700 hours of original programming across more than 60 production labels. Its global footprint spans 13 countries including the UK, US, Australia, France, Germany, The Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands and its global distribution business sells its 90,000+ hour catalogue to broadcasters and platforms around the world.
About Ready Player Me
Ready Player Me uses digital avatars to break down walls between creators of virtual experiences and the people who most want to enjoy them. The company offers an embeddable Avatar Creator that developers can integrate effortlessly into their apps and games to save time, boost engagement, and unlock new revenue streams. The company connects over 20,000 developers in its network (including VRChat, Spatial, and HiberWorld) with millions of end-users who can personalize their avatars to express themselves across compatible applications. Learn more at https://readyplayer.me.