Creating the Metaverse, lessons from Google Glass and the Whitehouse - Dave Kaufman, Meta
Jan 24, 2024
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Dave Kaufman, responsible for marketing the Metaverse, talks about the failures of Google Glass, the differences in marketing education between the US and UK, and the future of the Metaverse. They discuss launching the Meta X Rayban Sunglasses, quantifying the success of the Metaverse, and making virtual reality more familiar. Dave also shares insights on working for founders and his experience at President Obama's Whitehouse. Overall, an engaging discussion on the evolving tech landscape.
The Metaverse aims to enhance social interactions and democratize access to experiences, education, and social interactions by blending the digital and physical worlds.
Founder-led companies prioritize long-term vision, customer-centricity, and innovation, creating a unique environment.
Google Glass faced challenges due to lack of marketing value and unfamiliarity, emphasizing the importance of marketing education and creating products with familiar design and meaningful value.
Deep dives
The Metaverse: The Next Phase of the Internet
The Metaverse is the next phase of the internet, where it becomes more immersive and personal. It blends the digital and physical worlds to create a sense of presence. For example, wearing smart glasses that allow hands-free photos and videos, or having holographic conversations with people who aren't physically present. The goal is not to replace the real world, but to enhance the way we connect with others and access information. The Metaverse has the potential to democratize access to experiences, education, and social interactions, making them more accessible to people across different locations and backgrounds.
Benefits of Founder-led Companies
Founder-led companies bring a strong sense of mission, purpose, and long-term focus. The founders deeply believe in their work and prioritize building exceptional products that serve customers. These companies are often customer-focused and spend time understanding their needs. There is a sense of speed and urgency in founder-led companies, driven by the belief that tomorrow is not guaranteed. This focus on the customer, long-term vision, and sense of urgency create a unique environment that fosters innovation and customer-centricity.
Lessons from Google Glass to Ray-Ban Meta
Google Glass, a pioneering product, faced challenges due to the lack of marketing value and not anchoring the technology in something familiar. The experience taught the importance of valuing marketing education and understanding marketing effectiveness. The launch of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses showcased a successful blend of technology and familiar design. The focus was on creating a product that looked and functioned like traditional glasses, with added smart features. Privacy was a key consideration, with indicators for photo-taking and recording, addressing concerns about consent and privacy. The product aimed to provide meaningful value, from enhancing music listening to enabling immersive experiences and democratizing access to information.
The Potential of the Metaverse
The podcast episode explores the concept of the metaverse and its potential to enhance social interactions and create immersive experiences. The speaker highlights the importance of presence and how technology can bridge the physical distance between individuals. Examples like watching a sports game with a loved one remotely are mentioned to illustrate the value of feeling like someone is right there with you. The metaverse is seen as a significant development, and while its success is not guaranteed, the speaker mentions the progress being made in building the necessary technologies and the role of various companies in shaping the metaverse.
From Gaming to Productivity in the Metaverse
The podcast delves into the current applications of the metaverse, focusing on gaming and social interactions. Successful products like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft are highlighted as examples of immersive and interactive experiences within the metaverse. The speaker also discusses how the metaverse can expand into education, training, and productivity. Specific examples include using virtual reality to enhance work environments, such as creating virtual multiple screens or training simulations. The podcast emphasizes the entertainment value and potential benefits of the metaverse for various aspects of life, going beyond gaming and social experiences.
Dave Kaufman is responsible for the marketing for one of the biggest tech bets of all time; the Metaverse. As Director of Global Marketing for VR and the Metaverse for Meta (formerly Facebook), it's fair to say Dave has a pretty sizeable task on his hands. He's no stranger to large marketing bets, having been on the marketing team for Google Glass, which ultimately failed. But sandwiched in-between working for Google and Meta, Dave worked for Obama's Whitehouse for the United States Digital Service.
In this episode we discuss if the US is behind the UK in terms of marketing thinkers, why marketing education is overlooked, why Google Glass failed and what the future holds in terms of the Metaverse.
00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Dave’s favourite episodes of Uncensored CMO 01:50 - Elon vs Mark in a fight 02:31 - US vs UK marketing 03:57 - How to not be full of sh*t in marketing 09:16 - Was Google Glass a failure? 15:50 - Launching the Meta X Rayban Sunglasses 20:28 - Explaining the metaverse 24:02 - How to quantify the success of the metaverse 26:29 - When will the metaverse become mainstream? 30:58 - Making virtual reality more familiar 32:28 - Does tech have a marketing problem? 38:20 - Working for founders 46:39 - Working at President Obama’s Whitehouse 53:35 - Working with low budgets 56:47 - Dave’s bets for 2024
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