Nokia Technologies partners with Brandwidth to build virtual reality content for brands

• Cannes Lions 2016 to provide showcase for VR content created with the Nokia OZO camera

June 20, 2016, Cannes, France - Nokia Technologies and creative marketing agency Brandwidth today announced a new partnership to create immersive virtual reality (VR) content using Nokia OZO - the world's first professional VR camera. Nokia and Brandwidth are showcasing VR content created with OZO at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from June 18-25.

The partnership will include cross-promotional opportunities for the two companies including a multi-camera VR experience at London's iconic Roundhouse, plus automotive and sports event promotions. Brandwidth specializes in the production of VR for advertising and promotional purposes, and has already used OZO to produce engaging content for a range of brands including Royal Caribbean, European Tour and Unilever.

"VR has the potential to revolutionize marketing and advertising, giving customers an opportunity to experience and engage with brands on a level that's never been possible before," said Paul Melin, VP of Digital Media at Nokia Technologies. "Brandwidth has already proven itself a leader in this space using virtual reality to promote vacations, enhance TV viewer engagement and create immersive sports and music experiences. This new partnership will help us demonstrate the true potential for VR in marketing and advertising."

With OZO, Nokia is bringing amazing VR experiences to consumers by making content capture and production much more accessible for advertising and marketing professionals. OZO features real-time VR preview, 3D 360 degree spatial audio and video capture, full compatibility with professional workflows and multiple head mounted displays, and the ability to dramatically reduce post-production time, complexity and cost. OZO is the only camera available that captures full 3D 360 degree spatial audio and video - two features needed to create a truly immersive VR experience. In addition to fully immersive 3D VR experience, OZO also enables 360 degree content that can be distributed on social media and experienced with mobile phones, tablets or browsers.

"OZO is the only choice for creative professionals to truly capture and share virtual experiences," said Andrew Strange, Group Chairman at Brandwidth. "OZO drastically simplifies the process and delivers output of incredible quality, enabling us to develop highly creative and engaging content quickly. Our clients are constantly looking for new ways to engage their audiences and VR has huge potential for driving a new era of advertising."

Marketers and advertisers attending Cannes Lions can go hands-on with OZO and check out Brandwidth content at the Nokia Technologies Beach Dome, located right of Le Croisette, from 9:30am-5:30pm daily; and, get a deeper dive with OZO at Nokia's Cabana on the beach.

About Brandwidth Brandwidth is a creative marketing agency with in-house expertise in brand development, virtual reality and traditional filmmaking, research and analytics, experiential and digital production with offices located in the United Kingdom and United States. Brandwidth has championed innovation since their first VR project in 1999, through apps, connected cars and wearable technology.