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| Source: Zanadu. Zanadu launches virtual reality content development services, VR film. |
Zanadu.cn, a Chinese lifestyle travel platform which recently raised more than US$12.5 million in its A+ financing round led by Tencent Holdings, has seen an opportunity in providing quality virtual reality-related content.
Beijing-based Zanadu is already known for travel products and content collaborations with top brands and celebrities. It runs a WeChat channel, and completed a short film with Cui Jian, the Chinese artist often cited as 'the Father of Chinese Rock' in partnership with Maserati; a series of films with Mini Cooper; a travel-themed music video with Hong Kong actress and singer-songwriter Karen Mok and a personal travel journey with leading fashion photographer Chen Man. By pioneering innovative travel content with Virtual Reality, Zanadu is aiming to bring experiential journeys even closer to the Chinese traveller.
''With VR becoming an increasingly hot topic, this move helps to push forward the Chinese VR market, where currently only very limited VR content is available. This will help us to become the No. 1 VR travel content producer and distributor in the Chinese market and also on a global level.''
According to Zanadu, it is the first and only VR travel content producer and distributor in the market enhancing the booking process with this latest technology. The company will also be China's first VR company to provide end-to-end solutions including VR content production, content distribution, marketing and booking services to the travel industry.
Zanadu will collaborate with premium partners in the luxury hotels and travel industries to produce premium travel VR content. The company has also released its initial foray into travel VR, a virtual reality (VR)-based app focused on travel destinations which features China's first VR travel film The Dream. Shot in Thailand in October 2015, The Dream can be viewed online along with a behind-the-scenes video. The Dream is one of some 30 to 40 videos slated for release on the Zanadu platform and on third party platforms like Samsung's MILK, Oculus and Youtube 360 in 2016 alone.
Live event broadcast and travel content offer a good user-case for the immersive medium and Zanadu plans to work with all major platforms to provide best-in-class travel VR content. In conjunction with the app launch, Zanadu also launched Zanadu Studio, a content production studio specialising in high-quality experiential and travel themed content, both in 2D and VR. Zanadu has also formed a strategic content partnership with Tencent Video to feature its travel VR content on Tencent's VR app.
"The luxury travel industry in China is
experiencing a major growth spurt. The affluent Chinese traveller is
always looking for new outlets to explore a chosen destination before
making a financial commitment. Zanadu saw this demand as the perfect
opportunity to create a virtual reality bridge between travellers and
luxe destinations, through a unique experiential journey,'' said
Creative Director & CMO of Zanadu, Dirk Eschenbacher.
Interested?
The app can be downloaded on the iOS App store and Android's Google Play Store.
Watch The Dream on Youtube 360 and a behind-the-scenes look at The Dream on Youtube
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