Gruner + Jahr launches mobile app 'ARplay'

Gruner + Jahr (G+J), the publishing division of European media conglomerate Bertelsmann, that entered the Indian market in 2011, with its acquisition of the publishing house, MaXposure Media Group, followed by Networkplay, has set the ball rolling with its very first initiative on building synergies between its subsidiaries, through the launch of an augmented reality application called ARplay.

Developed by Networkplay and distributed through Seventynine (a business unit of Networkplay), ARplay enables brands to bridge the gap between online and offline modes of communication. With the click of a button, bring to life scanned static images, ads and advertorials on your mobile screens and tabs, buy products & services directly from catalogues, connect with links to web content, indulge in social sharing, polling, contests and much more...

The synergies will provide MaXposure Media Group (a leading publishing house known for its award winning corporate and consumer magazines), a platform to digitize quality content from its portfolio of magazines starting with the November issue of FHM & L‘Officiel. By pooling its activities and focussing its resources, Gruner +  Jahr will benefit in the long run and gain a significant amount of momentum.

Speaking on the launch of the app, Kuldip Singh, CEO of Gruner + Jahr India said, “G+J has been investing a great deal in the digital transformation of its core competencies in order to be able to provide readers and users with access to its content on all channels. With our focus on building synergies between print and online, it will help further accelerate the digital transformation of Gruner + Jahr.”

Commenting on this new app Ampreet Singh, CEO Networkplay said, “We love bringing new technology-based solutions that add value to our users. Augmented reality is exciting because it adds a new dimension to a medium, that people are used to and comfortable with. We’ve thought hard about where ARplay actually adds value and we’re working to ensure that each augmentation brings something new to our customers. This app is just the beginning to our technological development showcase of how the future of magazine will look in the era of convergence.”

Pointing out the benefits to publishers and readers of the magazines, Mr. Prakash Johari, CEO of MaXposure Media Group said, “This new technology will take reader’s engagement to an entirely different level, by showing behind the scene videos and images, polls and clips from their favourite magazines. It will also prove to be immensely beneficial for the advertisers, specifically real estate, entertainment, online retailers and automobile sector who can not only run target-specific campaigns but also go beyond just the regular display of ads.”