Jeep, the official global automotive partner of the World Surf League, has rolled out a new virtual reality video-based experience called ‘Jeep Sessions: A Surfing Journey in 360’.
The Jeep Sessions initiative shines a spotlight on WSL Championship Tour surfers Jordy Smith and Malia Manuel as they set out on their own Jeep brand adventure to seek out the world’s best waves.
The project’s video campaign can be viewed in both a 360-degree video and an interactive VR experience: the latter enables surf lovers to select their journey through ‘gaze-based interactions’ – where the user’s eyes become the controller within the 360 visuals.
Fans are able to enjoy the full Jeep Sessions experience by watching the full videos online at WSL.TV/JeepVR via headset, desktop or mobile.
Plus, the projects can be seen on a custom app experience via a dedicated 360 app downloaded through iTunes, Google Play, Daydream, or Oculus Gear VR App Stores.
Fans can even choose between exploring the videos in Smith’s all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler or Manuel’s Jeep Renegade, while, within the app experience, viewers also have several points of choice presented by Sunny Garcia, Hawaiian surfing star.
The initiat9ive is spearheaded by a central, 3-minute and 11-second ‘Surfing Journey’ film,
which is supported by a pair of slightly shorter, surfer-specific videos.
As well as also being amplified across the sponsor’s digital and social platforms, it was also shared by the rights-holder on some of its own social media spaces.
“This was a special project to be a part of, and I am excited for the world to experience the journey with us,” commented Smith.
“It is incredible to see all the innovation that goes in behind-the-scenes to bring to life such a unique perspective of our surfing experience. When you’re surfing, many people just see the endgame, but it’s the whole adventure to find great waves with a friend. When you do, it’s the best feeling in the world.”
“I love that everyone can go on whichever adventure they want in this VR experience,” added Manuel.
“It’s a win-win for the viewer visually whether they go with me in the Jeep Renegade, or Jordy in the Jeep Wrangler, as we go off-roading to explore the beautiful scenery in Hawaii and find these amazing waves to share with the world.”
Working with WSL on the project, Jeep also teamed up with the production outfit Rapid VR.
“Our project goal was to push the boundaries of VR technology to show what a surf trip feels like from the first-person perspective,” said Steele, Rapid VR co-director.
“I’m excited to share this. It’s pretty incredible knowing my mom can now experience riding a 20-foot wave.”
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The planet’s premier surfing rights-holders, the World Surf League, penned a multi-year partnership extension with automotive bran back in September 2017 and this partnership package included a series of new online content running under the Jeep Sessions banner.
This long-term deal includes the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, when surfing will be part of the main Games event for the first time in history.
The WSL, which organises the world’s elite circuit for professional surfers, renewed its multi-year sponsorship with the Fiat Chrysler subsidiary in a deal that ensures Jeep remains the official and exclusive global automotive partner of the WSL, as well as the naming rights partner of the WSL Jeep Leaders Tour Rankings for both the men’s and women’s championship tours.
The renewed deal sees Jeep continue its name sponsorship of the Jeep Leaderboard and the Jeep Leader Jersey (which is worn by the highest-ranked surfer on the men’s and women’s tours) and the men’s and women’s WSL champions will be awarded a Jeep vehicle at the end of each season.
The auto company also runs a number of activations at WSL events through the tie-up too.
“Jeep embodies the spirit and soul of surfing and surf lifestyle, which makes this partnership so special,” said Beth Greve, chief commercial officer of the WSL, late last year when the deal was signed.
“We are incredibly excited to continue working together to bring amazing competitions, more must-see stories of the Jeep Leaderboard and showcase the WSL’s best in the Jeep leader jersey to our fans around the globe.”
Mike Manley, head of the Jeep brand, added: “Extending our partnership with the World Surf League allows Jeep to remain firmly immersed in a culture that shares a similar identity and core set of beliefs. The convergence of these like-minded values – freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion – offers Jeep the ability to connect globally with our fans and followers through on-site beach activations and live online streaming of worldwide surfing events over the next few years.”
The alliance is based on the idea that ‘surfing’ and ‘adventure’ have always gone hand in hand and that, ever since returning GIs from World War II bought military-surplus Willys MBs and turned them into their own beach buggies, Jeep 4×4 vehicles have been part of the surfers’ quest to find the perfect wave.
The partnership is based on this idea that the world’s best surf spots aren’t easy to get to and thus often require a vehicle that can travel over rocks, through water and across sand dunes and tough terrain.
Links:
Jeep
https://www.instagram.com/jeep/
https://www.youtube.com/user/thejeepchannel
WSL
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/
https://www.instagram.com/wsl/
