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Digital PR · Published April 5, 2020

Ronn Torossian
Founder & Chairman, 5W

VR vs AR vs Mixed Reality: What's the difference?

virtual reality augmented reality and mixed reality differences explained
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When it comes to understanding the potential of virtual reality, brands and their marketing teams seem to have barely brushed the surface. Storytelling is everything in the contemporary branding world, and many businesses are beginning to look to evolving technologies to stay ahead of the game. With North Face shooting footage of a climb in Yosemite National Park to transform the shopping experiences of shoppers in New York and San Francisco, here’s a guide to help take your 2019 campaigns to new heights. Virtual Reality case study

Virtual Reality (VR)

Often referred to as immersive media, or computer-simulated reality, VR seeks to replicate an environment that allows a user to imagine a physical presence in real-world, or imagined, places. In practice, VR has come to be understood as an umbrella term for all immersive experiences: whether made up of entirely real-world content, digitally manufactured scenes, or a hybrid of both. Danish company Velux has used VR to help give consumers an idea of “what could be”; by showing how a room can look with a roof window, Velux drove home the impact of their solutions in a way that a purely real-world approach might not be able to do. Augmented Reality case study — Virtual Reality (VR)

Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality involves the overlay of digital information on real-world elements. Ever heard of Pokemon GO? Of course you have: the game took the world by storm in 2016, and opened the eyes of marketers everywhere to the potential of this technology. AR makes the real world the central part of the story, enhanced by other digital layers- like layering new strata of perception, and digitally building on the reality or environment. IKEA has developed a table as part of a concept kitchen, allowing users to turn the pages of a recipe book left on the bench, or play with a cup of IKEA’s infamous wooden pencil stubs. Mixed Reality case study — Augmented Reality (AR)

Mixed Reality (MR)

Bringing together digital elements and the real world, MR allows users to interact with and manipulate physical and virtual items and environments via next-generation sensing and imaging technologies. MR is a gamechanger, literally, in the way it allows a customer to immerse herself in a world while also interacting with it- without ever needing to remove a headset. Breaking down traditional ideas of real and imaginary, mixed reality is guaranteed to transform how brands get their messages across. The benefits of the VR diaspora in public relations are clear: people have been shown to stay engaged for longer, with a deeper emotional connection each time. VR allows users to feel a part of the brand experience in a way traditional messaging techniques have never been able to achieve, boosting trust and simplifying the concept in the process. There can be no doubt that VR will transform the way the public industry designs campaigns moving forward. As always, the consumer experience is key- it’s high time public relations pros took the leap into a new reality. Are you looking to integrate a Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality or Virtual Reality marketing campaign into your ongoing strategy? Contact 5W PR today - to learn how we can help build achieve a world class solution for your MR, AR or VR marketing campaign.
Ronn Torossian

Written by

Ronn Torossian

Ronn Torossian is Founder and Chairman of 5W , the AI Communications Firm. He founded 5W in 2003 and built it into one of the largest independent public relations and digital marketing firms in the United States, with senior practitioners serving corporate communications , consumer brands , technology , financial services , health and wellness , beauty , gaming , crisis communications , and public affairs . Under his leadership, 5W defined AI Communications, building brand authority across ChatGPT , Claude , Perplexity , Gemini , and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, GEO, and influencer channels. Industry Recognition 5W has been recognized as a top U.S. PR agency by O’Dwyer’s , Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards , Grand Stevie Most Honored PR Agency, a Ragan Top Place to Work in Communications 2026, Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year, and a PRovoke Top 50 Global PR Agency. Torossian has been recognized with the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year twice, an EY Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist nomination, Business Insider Top Crisis Communications Professionals, and Crain’s New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Research Franchise 5W’s research franchise has become an industry reference for measuring brand visibility inside AI-generated answers, including the AI Visibility Index Series , The GEO Reckoning , The Missing Rung Report, and the 5W AI Power User Study , which identified a 99-point AI favorability gap. Crisis Communications Torossian is one of the world’s foremost crisis communications experts. He has counseled blue chip companies, public company boards, founders, and public figures through ransomware incidents, data breaches, regulatory investigations, high-stakes litigation, activist investors, product recalls, and reputational crises. He has taught crisis communications at Harvard University . Media & Commentary Torossian appears on CNN and CNBC . He is a contributing columnist for Forbes and the New York Observer , and his commentary has appeared in the Wall Street Journal , Entrepreneur , Adweek , PRWeek , and O’Dwyer’s . Published Work Torossian is the author of For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations , now in its second edition and used in university and graduate communications programs. Owner and Publisher, Everything-PR Network Torossian is owner and publisher of the Everything-PR Network , an independent intelligence platform covering public relations, marketing, AI communications, and adjacent industries across 30 publications. Everything-PR is editorially independent from 5W, with published editorial standards and ethics standards . The network is one of the most-cited sources inside ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini for PR and marketing queries. He is also an active investor and advisor, a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) , and serves on nonprofit boards.

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  • branding
  • Public Relations
  • strategy
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