Tag: IDEA communication; strategy; virtual reality; technology; B2B communications

Singapore, 19 June 2019 – Singapore-headquartered public relations and communications firm IDEA Communication Pte Ltd (IDEA) is delighted to officially announce the signing of a strategic partnership with DGene, one of the world’s leading augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology providers. In a move that marks IDEA’s commitment to the digital revolution and Industry 4.0, the firm will lead the market roll-out of DGene’s products and services in Singapore and China, as well as efforts to educate the public and key stakeholders on AR/VR technologies in Singapore, China, and other Asian markets.

Led by China, Asia has been an important early adopter of AR/VR technology. According to current projections, China’s growing investment in AR/VR could make it the dominant player in the industry, with the potential to take more than $1 of every $5 spent on AR/VR globally by 2022. With the combined might of other major countries in the region, Asia is expected to deliver around half of global AR/VR revenue within the next five years.

DGene, a leading California-based light field technology startup backed by Alibaba Group, SAIF Partners and GSR Ventures, has signed a strategic partnership with PR and communication firm IDEA Communication this week.

DGene aims to cement its global standing as a world leader in light field and AR/VR technologies by leveraging on IDEA Communication’s resources in the retail sector and digital know-how. DGene’s ground-breaking light field technology has myriad applications across multiple industries, spanning digital entertainment, real estate, education, medicine, retail, luxury goods, tourism, and more.

“I’m delighted to partner with a firm with a track record of success and an eagerness to embrace novel digital technologies, as well as a strong understanding of the role technology will play in consumption upgrading and in bringing new applications into the rejuvenated retail and consumer sectors,” said Mr. Yu Jingyi, founder and CEO of DGene. “We are confident that this partnership with IDEA Communication will be an enduring and successful one, harnessing IDEA’s local market knowledge and resources to propel our business to the next level and support us in meeting the demands of our growing customer base in the region.”

Recognising the immense potential of AR/VR, as well as the plethora of industry applications of DGene’s light field technology, DGene received USD $15 million in Series A funding from the Alibaba Group in December 2017. These funds have been deployed in furthering the research and development of similar technologies, such as developing advanced deep learning technologies and artificial neural networks for computers through the integration of light field technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“This strategic partnership combines the complementary strengths of our companies, and brings to bear a synergy built on common values and goals, as well as a shared consensus on the broader market outlook of AR/VR technology in Asia. As the digital transformation in Singapore and China shows no sign of slowing, the current advent of revolutionary AR and VR solutions in the retail and consumer sectors could not have come at a better time. The retail and consumer sectors are in dire need of revitalisation, as consumers demand more engaging and interactive experiences. At IDEA, we are committed to customer-oriented solutions, and I am confident that this strategic partnership will help the two companies grow to the next level,” said Ms. Helena Ma, owner and managing director of IDEA Communication, with offices in both Singapore and China.

“This collaboration with DGene is testament to our growth-driven value as well as a clear indication of the scalability of AR and VR in growing sectors such as new retail and tourism, and we are excited to be at the forefront of this technological revolution,” Helena added.

DGene was featured at the Global AR/VR China Summit 2016, and has worked successfully on a number of prominent projects, including the Shanghai Museum Virtual Exhibition, Alibaba Buy+ Act, 2016 Caixin Summit, and more. DGene’s proprietary technologies have been deployed in various use cases to great success. In one example, DGene worked closely with Alibaba on its Buy+ AR initiative, providing commercial light field modelling for Alibaba’s merchant partners. Buy+ utilises AR technology to bring consumers a futuristic shopping experience like no other; an exemplification of the concept of experiential retail. Buy+ illustrates the immense potential of AR to transform the retail sector. Through AR, retailers can inculcate a new relationship between consumer and product, as consumers will be able to interact with their desired products like never before, potentially opening the door to an entirely new world of e-commerce possibilities.

About DGene:

DGene, formerly known as Plex-VR Digital Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., is a technology startup developing light field-based technologies for museum exhibition, e-commerce, education, virtual tourism and remote medicine applications. Founded in Shanghai in 2016, the company now has a research and development (R&D) centre in Silicon Valley. DGene’s AR/VR solutions have myriad applications across multiple industries, including but not limited to e-commerce, digital entertainment (Internet, video, and film), real estate (home design, interior decoration, and virtual house inspection), education (remote or online courses), and healthcare (remote diagnosis, operation surveillance, and adjuvant therapy). The company’s 3D virtual reality live broadcast solution provides video capture, real-time splicing and processing, and cloud server streaming for entertainment events, sporting events, and classroom education. The company also deploys light field rendering technology that offers 3D real-time playback effect for audiences at sports events, movies, and TV commercials. DGene also develops cross-industry immersive panoramic roaming virtual solutions for application in museums, memorials, art galleries, libraries, industrial pavilions, corporate pavilions, and experiential centres. DGene is based in Pudong, China, with operations in both Silicon Valley and Shanghai.

About IDEA Communication

IDEA Communication is a Public Relations and Communication firm founded in 2016, with registered legal entities in Singapore and China. The company supplies a broad range of PR, communication strategy, digital content creation, corporate communication, government relations and event management services. Representing the four tenets of ‘Innovation’, ‘Diversity’, ‘Execution’ and ‘Adaptability’, IDEA taps on its vast repository of cross-industry resources and insights, reliable industrial knowledge, and an unerring commitment to the strictest service standards to maximise commercial values.