Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA has been recognized alongside National Geographic and NASA for its pioneering work with 360-degree video storytelling.  That’s pretty good company.

Six months ago in this space, we reported that the hot topics at the annual Consumer Electronics Show were 360-degree video and virtual reality, or VR.

Special cameras record all possible angles of a scene – left, right, front, back, up, down.  The user can savor the experience on desktop or smartphone, from Google Cardboard to VR headsets such as Oculus Rift.  Use your cursor to change the viewing angle or just turn your phone.

Both YouTube and Facebook support 360 videos.

VISIT FLORIDA has since produced 10 videos in this format.  A 100-mph-plus circuit at Sebring.  A kayak paddle among the cypress stumps of the Dead Lakes in Wewahitchka.  And a leap from a plane with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Skydiving team.

Another video – about cave diving in Ginnie Springs, by Nadia Aly @scubadiverlife – received national attention.

Socialbakers, an industry leader in social media analytics that tracks more than 8 million profiles across all major platforms, posted a story on their blog titled “Facebook 360 Videos: Who’s Doing it Best?”  Of VISIT FLORIDA, Socialbakers wrote that the Ginnie Springs video gives “potential visitors a sneak peek of what they can find on their travels.”

A side note on distribution: The Ginnie Springs video was one of four 360 stories that were produced by Nadia Aly and distributed to her substantial adventure following on Facebook.  The performance numbers were 831,000 video views and 25,000 organic interactions.

Here is VISIT FLORIDA’s 360-degree playlist.  Stay tuned.  More to come.