Personalized portrait videos, power play. Personalizing the future of digital marketing and audience connections

The game-changing trend for marketers in the realm of mass participation sporting events: personalized videos in portrait mode.

Nowadays, the race for consumer engagement is as competitive as any marathon. The consumer is no longer a passive observer but an active participant, craving for personalized experiences that resonate on a deeper level with his or her individual wants and expectations.

The finish line is just the beginning

Gone are the days when crossing the finish line was the climax of a race. In the digital era, the journey and the shared stories matter just as much. In this context, personalized portrait videos have emerged as the ultimate engagement tool, capturing what’s meaningful in a format tailor-made for immediate social media sharing and consumption.

What’s the deal with portrait mode?

Social media platforms are designed with mobile users in mind, and their preference for portrait mode content in reels and stories reflects this. The reasoning is straightforward: usability and engagement. 

Most users hold their smartphones vertically, or in portrait orientation, nearly 94% of the time, according to several MOVR Mobile Overview Reports. Creating content that aligns with this natural grip allows for a seamless, one-handed user experience, which is critical for engagement.

When it’s about sharing the rush of adrenaline and personal triumph on platforms like Instagram or TikTok, portrait videos are leading the way. When you combine the power of personalized videos with the friendliest format – portrait, you get cinematic history for each marathon or triathlon participant.  

Portrait mode content fills the entire screen of a smartphone, making the viewing experience more immersive. This full-screen real estate means viewers are less likely to be distracted by other elements on their screen and more likely to engage with the content. The format lends itself to a more personal and direct connection, as if the viewer is having a face-to-face interaction with the content creator.

Moreover, vertical videos have higher completion rates, which is a key metric for social media platforms. They’re not only easier to watch but also to interact with, as users can easily like, comment, and share without altering their grip or orientation of the phone.

The design of social media algorithms also favours content that maximises user engagement, which includes time spent on the platform. Portrait mode videos cater to quick, engaging storytelling that’s ideal for the fast-paced nature of social media consumption. The platforms thus prioritise and promote this content format, encouraging creators to adopt it and users to consume it.

Engaging with motion and emotion

Engagement isn’t just about views; it’s about emotional resonance. Personalized portrait videos elevate mere participation into an emotive experience. Imagine witnessing your final sprint with your family and friends cheering on the side, all through a video that feels like your own movie trailer. That’s the power of personalization—transforming participants into protagonists of their own stories.

Shareability is king for brands storytelling

The true measure of content’s value in today’s digital marketing is its shareability. Portrait videos, personalized to reflect each participant’s experience, are not just content; they become organic marketing campaigns, with each share amplifying brand reach and influence.

Data-driven, insightful storytelling

Our personalized portrait videos are not just a shot in the dark, but a precision-driven strategy that could leverage any brand’s strategy in the digital realm. These videos are invaluable for crafting future marketing campaigns that hit closer to home and to the hearts of consumers.

The viral potential

When a participant shares their personalized video, they’re not just sharing a moment; they’re indirectly endorsing the event and the associated brands. This user-generated content has the potential to go viral, carrying the brand’s message far and wide, many times exceeding the initial reach expectations. 

A sustainable trophy

In a world increasingly conscious of sustainability, digital trophies like personalized portrait videos are an eco-friendly alternative to physical memorabilia. They’re everlasting, easily stored, and, most importantly, kind to our planet.

Lightning fast availability after the finish line

We are all living in the age of tech speed and instant gratification, and rapid availability is a commodity expected from brands. Personalized videos are sent to each participant in 3 minutes after they finish their race. The moment you complete your race, iRewind technology kicks into high gear, ensuring personal victory tales are ready for the world to see almost instantly. And this is vital to building the perfect recipe for instant shareability, skyrocketing engagement and sensational virality. 

The future of digital marketing and consumer engagement is here, and it’s portrait, personal, and powerful.

The evolution of digital marketing demands innovation that keeps pace with consumer expectations. Personalized portrait videos are the heralds of this new era. Events powered by engagement solutions like iRewind and iRewind ONE are leading the way, offering experiences that transcend traditional boundaries and forge emotional connections.

As marketeers and brand communicators, it’s time to embrace the revolution of personalized portrait videos. This is not just a trend but a transformation in how we engage, market, and celebrate. It’s how we connect in a digital age that yearns for the human touch.

For visionary marketers at mass participation sporting events, the question isn’t why but how soon they can integrate this cutting-edge tool into their strategy. With iRewind’s innovation, the future of marketing is personal, and it’s looking right at us – one portrait video at a time.

Check some of our personalized portrait videos projects we did in collaboration with Generali for #GeneraliGeneveMarathon and #SwissCityMarathon – Lucerne. And a wonderfully received video that went viral to almost 1M users of one of the same Generali Geneve Marathon participants.