/ Case studies

Physical touchpoints, turned into media.

Selected programmes across activated print, retail, live events and convention distribution — with the measurement that came back from the field.

/ 01 — Netflix / Sakamoto Days

Mr. Sakamoto's transformation, as live app-free AR.

Activated print · Retail · Live events

MEDIALIFE turned Mr. Sakamoto's climactic transformation into a live, app-free augmented reality experience.

We distributed AR-activated magazines, stickers, and posters across 150+ comic and manga retailers, then brought the programme out of the living room and directly into fans' lives at Anime Expo, San Diego Comic-Con and Anime NYC — turning the transformation into a live, participatory experience.

Activated magazines
Activated stickers
Activated posters
Life-sized standees

Platinum Pinnacle AwardExperiential Marketing & Communications ↗

Challenge

A globally launching series needed a physical presence that fans would actually stop for — one that could be measured, not just admired.

Solution

We activated the print and retail media that was already going out — magazines, stickers, posters and standees — so a phone camera turns each one into a live AR performance with no app to install.

Execution

150+ comic and manga retailers across North America, plus live activations at Anime Expo, San Diego Comic-Con and Anime NYC, with engagement measured per unit.

Engagement duration

avg engagement · NFC-activated unit

avg engagement · QR-activated unit

Repeat engagement

interactions per NFC sticker

Live event engagement

attendees engaging per minute at Anime NYC

Long-tail impact

engagement growth 2+ weeks post distribution

Retail unit engagement · sample data set

01
Toy TokyoNew York City, USAunique
02
Forbidden PlanetNew York City, USAunique
03
Golden Age CollectiblesVancouver, Canadaunique

In the field

Cosplayers posing with the Sakamoto Days activated standee at a convention

Fans holding the Den of Geek Sakamoto Days activated poster at Anime NYC

The Sakamoto Days standee on the convention floor at the Javits Center

Cosplayers gathered around the activated standee in the convention hall

Cosplay group posing with the Sakamoto Days standee

Two fans holding the activated Sakamoto Days poster

Sakamoto Days retail activation on the street outside a store

Fans outside the convention with the activated poster

Crowd on the street with activated Sakamoto Days posters

From the retailers

“This was a very unique activation. Our patrons loved it. The only issue is that it drove demand for the manga… which we ran out of pretty quickly. Can you get us more of the manga?”

Store Manager, Austin Books and Comics

“Mr. Sakamoto is the first thing our customers see when they walk in! Many folks interact with him. We rarely jump in and tell them to use their phones. People are taking the stickers, and we've sold quite a few mangas since he's been up.”

Store Manager, Pulp Fiction Long Beach

“We would love to do more activations like this. It's really something different. Please let us know when the next one is, we would really love to be a part of it.”

CMO, Midtown Comics, Inc

“The standee has been a really fun attraction for our shoppers and we love it.”

Shop Owner, Cabrillo Beach Curiosities

“We love having Mr. Sakamoto here! How long can we keep him up?”

Store Manager, Manga Spot Chicago

/ 02 — Anime conventions

Amplifying fandom immersion at anime conventions.

Activated Apparel™ · NFC · Live events

Convention exhibitors struggle to create memorable fan experiences that extend beyond the physical event, deliver measurable ROI, and sustain social media visibility.

Activated Apparel™
NFC stickers
Fandom merchandise
Convention distribution

Challenge

Convention exhibitors struggle to create memorable fan experiences that extend beyond the physical event, deliver measurable ROI, and sustain social media visibility.

Solution

We enhanced print media and pop-culture merch with AR overlays using NFC for frictionless interaction, creating immersive touchpoints that drive repeat engagement & conversion.

Execution

We distributed AR media at 10+ major conventions: Anime Expo, San Diego Comic Con, Anime NYC, New York Comic Con, AWA, Kawaii Kon, Sakura-Con, Anime North, etc. delivering complete end-to-end implementation.

Conversion & interaction

of AR interactions converted to action

number of interactions per AR-activated unit

interaction rate

Depth & reach

avg. engagement duration

of AR experiences are shared with others

Creators & community