AR-VR Leaders:
Redefining
Redefining Possibilities, Inspiring Innovation!
DearReaders,
Stepintoaworldwhereinnovationknowsnobounds,wheretherealmsofaugmented reality(AR)andvirtualreality(VR)areredefinedbytrailblazingleaders.These visionariesareshapingthefutureofAR-VR,infusingitwithboundlesscreativity,cutting-edge technology,andunwaveringpassion.Theyarethedrivingforcebehindgroundbreaking advancements,transformingtheveryfabricoftheAR-VRlandscape.
InthisexhilaratingeditionofTheUSALeaders,weproudlypresent“The10MostRevolutionary AR-VRLeadersof2023.”Preparetobecaptivatedbytheirunwaveringdedicationandfearless pursuitofexcellence.Theseremarkableindividualsarerewritingtherules,settingnewbenchmarks, andpushingtheboundariesofwhatispossibleintheimmersiveworldofAR-VR.Eachleaderhasa rivetingstorytoshare,ataleofingenuitythathasleftanindeliblemarkonthehealthcareindustry
GracingourcoveristheextraordinaryDr.AniAtanasova,thevisionaryCEOofPixelhunters,a luminaryreshapingthegamingindustry.Withaninsatiableappetiteforresearch,development,and creativity,Dr.AniandherteamoftalentedengineershavepropelledtheAR-VRindustryforward throughtheirinnovativegame-basedapproach.Drivenbythebeliefthattrustisthecornerstoneof success,shehasearnednumerousaccoladesandglobalrecognition,solidifyingPixelhuntersasa beaconofexcellence.
Withinthepagesofthisedition,youwillalsoencounterArvindGhorwal,RanCraycraft,Dr.Gregg CollinsandSapneshLalla,RobertoCarpinteyro,andotherleaderswhoarerevolutionizingAR-VR withtheirunwaveringleadership,expertise,andaudaciousthinking.Together,theyareusheringin aneweraoftechnologicalmarvelsandpavingthewayforunparalleledinnovationinthefiercely competitivelandscapeofAR-VR.
Maythiseditionigniteasparkofinspirationwithinyou,compellingyoutocontributetowardsa futurethatisnotonlyhealthierbutalsobrimmingwithhappinessforall.
Thank you for your continued support!
Parag Ahire Project Editor
PUBLISHER
ARCHANA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
VIKRAM
MANAGING EDITOR
PANKAJ
PROJECT EDITORS
PARAG AHIRE
PROJECT MANAGERS
ADAM
VINIT SETHIYA
VISUALIZER
MARK
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
ASHWINI DHUMAL
AAKASH MAHAJAN HEAD OF DISTRIBUTION & PRODUCTION
ROBERT SMITH HEAD OF OPERATIONS
RESEARCH ANALYSTS
JAMES ADAMS
ADVERTISING
MARIA SMITH
Dr. Ani Atanasova
32 Ran
C O N T E
Craycraft
Roberto Carpinteyro
Dr. Gregg Collins & Sapnesh Lalla
Arvind Ghorwal
Dr.Ani Atanasova Dr.Ani Atanasova
“We put a lot of love and hard work into all our work, as it has been always important to be proud of all we deliver.”
P “
ixelhuntersisnotjustabusinessforme, butmylife.”Itisalabeloflove,notjust becauseampassionateaboutthework,but also,Irunthebusinesswithmyhusband IliyaAtanasov
Intoday’stechnologicalworld,augmented reality/virtualreality(AR/VR)is consideredthenextdigitalfrontier.The leadersintheAR/VRindustryaredriving thefutureofupdatedtechnologythatcan bringnewinnovationsinordertomakethe dailylivesofpeopleeasier.Moreover, gamingindustryisenlargingitsarmsby leveraginglatesttechnologiesandmaking ituserfriendly.Industryleadersare buildingstrategiestominimizethegap betweenthedigitalworldandthephysical worldbyembeddingAR/VRintogaming. Dr.AniAtanasova(CEO,Pixelhunters) isoneofthosebusinessleaderswhoare inspiringotherstomaketheirdreams cometruewiththehelpofinnovationand creativity
NamebehindtheInnovation
Dr AniAtanasovaandherhusband,Iliya Atanasov,mergedtheirinterests,and expertisetobuildaneworganizationPixelhunters.Alotofpeoplearecurious aboutthename.ButDr.Anisaysitis becausewehuntpixelstocreatebeautiful things.
ShehasaPh.D.inQuantum& Optoelectronicsandcurrentlyinprocessof graduatinga2ndPhDinEducation,she hasdevotedyearsofherlifetoscience, research,teaching,andindustry. Moreover,shehasexperiencedworking withseveralpatentedprojectsoftheEUin thefieldofmagneticfieldmeasurements andlaserapplications.Undoubtedly,her cravingforinnovationandthecreativityof herhusbandcametogethertobuilda game-changingcompanylike Pixelhunters.
COVER STORY
AGame-ChangingJourney
Establishedin2009,Pixelhunters starteditsjourneyasa3Danimation andVFXcompany,whichbecamethe firstindiegamedevelopmentstudioin UAE.UndertheleadershipofDr Ani andherexpertiseineducationaland businessgaming,Pixelhuntersquickly grabbedeveryone’sattentioninthe market.
Beingfromasciencebackground,her husbandintroducedhertothegaming industryandtheymergedtheir interests,expertise,andwork passionatenaturetothinkofnewtypes ofprojectapproachesinvolvinglotsof R&D,experimentation,andcreativity BesidesbeingtheCEO,sheismore inclinedtowardstheR&Ddepartment anddealingwithcustomers.Sheshows interestinunderstandingthe requirementsofclientsandworking closelywiththemtocreateaperfect projectwithinnovativesolutions.
“We do not overpromise as we must believe in
TheevergreenteamofDr Animajorly involvesengineers,whoadmire technologyandhaveacommongoalto createuniqueprojectsthrough experimentingandblendingdifferent experiences.Beingblessedwithgood engineers,thecompanysuccessfully createduniqueprojects.Dr Anilikes toworkhardanddedicatesherselfto everyproject,whichmakesherandher teamproudofwhattheydelivertothe clients.
ContributingtotheFutureof Technology
ARisaboutaugmentingdigitallysome elementsintherealworldthrough phonesorARglasses.Acommon exampleofARisfiltersusedbymany applicationsorgamesincluding3D charactersinrealenvironments.The commonuseofARonphonesmakes itsapplicationveryconvenientfor
dailylifeengagementinretailproducts orentertainment.WhereasVRenables peopletoexperiencevirtual simulationsintodailylife.Insituations wheretheperceptionofriskis involved,theapplicationofVR permitssafetraininginavirtual environment.Becauseofthese technologies,experiencinginformation hasgainednewheightsandis becomingmorepopularinthe metaverse.Pixelhuntersiscontributing totheAR/VRindustrybybringing innovationthroughagame-based approach.
PrioritizingRequirementsof Customers
Workingalongwithgovernmentand largecorporatesectors,Pixelhunters hasmanagedtoincorporateplentyof clientsSMEs,otheragencies, exhibitioncompanies,andmanymore. DrAnipreferstofulfillvarious requirementsofclients.Itincludes helpingthemvisualizetheircorporate messagesandprocessesthatare lookingtouseimmersivetechnologies toamplifytheirbrands.Also,whenthe clientislookingforengagingwaysto trainemployeesviaagame-based approachorgamification,Pixelhunters supportstherequirementsofsuch clients.Higherquality3Dcontentand metaverseexperiencesaresome servicesprovidedbythecompanyto additionallyimmersetheirclients.
Additionally,Pixelhuntershas2VR platformscombiningvisualand interactivesides,whicharenowglobal innovations.Withover4000plusVR recordeduserswithreportsand analyticsand7hoursofVRcontent developed,thecompanyhas establisheditselfasoneoftheleaders usingVRforseriouslearning.The companycreatednewtypesofproject approachesthatinvolvelotsofR&D, experimentation,andcreativityunder
theguidanceofDr Aniandher husbandIliyaAtanasov
AGreatLeaderBuildsaGreatTeam
WithPixelhunterspassionateteam,Dr. Anibelievesincreatingbeautifuland inspirationalprojects.Theteamis alwaysthrilledtoworkwithdifficult deadlinesandconcepts.Moreover,she firmlystandsonbeingawareofthe differentstrengthsoftheteam.With this,thecompanycanusethemwisely duringchallengingsituations.Sucha remarkableteamcreatesartandits happinessliestoabigextentinthe excitingprojectsthatitworksonand asagoodleader,Dr Anibelievesin buildingtrustthatresultin extraordinarywork.
Nothing is Impossible
Dr AniAtanasovabelievesinlifting othersasshestandstobeaninspiration formanypeopleintheseriousgaming industry.SheistheUAE CorrespondentfortheYoungBusiness LeadersFranceandisontheadvisory boardofseveralUAEUniversities. Withherslogan“Nothing is Impossible,”shecontinuestomotivate womeninthegamedevelopment business.Underherguidance, Pixelhuntershasdeliveredmorethan 1500projectsacrosstheglobeandwon morethan150internationalindustry awards.
MaintainingWork-lifebalance
Copingwiththedynamicmarketand constantcompetition,stress managementbecomesequally important.“Work-life balance is probably the hardest to achieve for any business leader But after all, it is how we look at the problem, that matters,” quotesDr Ani.Sheexceptionally handlesstressbyapproaching difficultiesaschallengesandfinding
solutionsforthem.Inthisway,she managestheworkloadandencourages herselftoworkharderthanbefore. “Sometimes, it is important to learn how to switch off the brain and enjoy every moment so that productivity increases the next day”, sheadds.
Dr Aniutilizesherfreetimetolearn newthings,developnewideas,and brainstorminnovations.Shelovesher workandtheprocessofbeing consistentwithherenergylevel. Undoubtedly,shehasprovedherself overtheperiodasasuccessfulleader intheAR-VRindustryandmanagedto inspireandmotivateothersontheway
Advicefromthebest
Beingadecoratedleaderinthe AR-VRindustry,Dr.Aniwants toshareapieceofadvicewith aspiringleaders:
• Itisimportantto understandthe technologyinorderto useitwiselyratherthan justusingitblindlylike others.
• Itshouldberecognized whatkindofvaluea technologycanbringas benefitstothebusiness.
• Fordevelopingand usingtechnology wisely,itisimportantto beawareoftheuser's technologyadaptation andimplementation efforts.
“It all depends on how we look at the problems we face, if we consider them as game challenges for which we need to find a solution, then we may not feel the burden.”
COVER STORY
Paracosma
https://www.3rockar.com/
Analog Studio
Brash3d
https://analogstudio.co.uk/ NIIT
Elysian Studios
https://elysian.studio/?projects/intro
https://www.paracosma.com/
Pixelhunters
https://www.pixelhunters.com/
https://brash3d.com/ Polar Multimedia
https://www.vizitechusa.com/ 3rockAR
https://www.polarmultimedia.com/
Vizitech USA
https://www.niit.com/en/learning-outsourcing/
https://wildebee.st/
ARVIND Ghorwal
An Experienced Campaigner in VR Storytelling Style
Everyentrepreneur’sjourneyisuniqueinitsown, butwhatremainscommonistheirdetermination andnevergiveupattitude.Anexceptionalleader chooseslesstraveled pathandcontinuesjourneythat separates fromtheothers.“When you start you don’t know what you are getting into, as the time passes by, you realize what path you have chosen for yourself and it gets extremely difficult at times,”saysArvindGhorwalthe CEOandFounderofElysianStudios.
Arvind’squesthasbeenfilledwithnumerousobstacles,but hedidnotgiveuponhisidea.Heknewthattherearetough timesthateveryentrepreneurhastogothrough,however onehastomoveforwardonthepathandhavean understandingthatthereislightattheendofthetunnel.
StartingFromScratch
ArvindisanIITMumbaigraduate,anditistherethathe becamefamiliarwithfilmmaking.“We did a Pilot project in IIT Mumbai back in mid-2015, where we created one of the 1st 360 videos in India,”saidArvind.Heandhisfriendsaw potentialinthisideaandthusventuredintoastart-up.
However,thejourneycametoahaltwhentheteammates couldnotgetalong.Consequently,Arvindoptedoutfrom theventureandinitiatedhissolojourney,“I had to form a new team and start from scratch to keep the entrepreneurial journey going,”expressesArvind. Understandingthat beingthesolebearerofafairlynewstartupwillbe challenging,hestartedseekingwisdom,regarding leadershipandbliss.
WhiletravelingalongwiththespiritualplaceofIndiahe wasabletodiscovertherightpathandlockedsomeofthe internationalclients.Soon,hestartedworkingwithbig MNC'sandestablishedElysianStudiosonthemapof leadingAR-VRcompanies.Headds,“Entrepreneurial journey is tough, you can only sail through it if you have the passion along with persistence, perseverance, and patience.”
ElysiantranslatestospiritualinspirationandArvind Ghorwalhasbeenutilizingthisinspirationtocreatea blissfulVRexperienceforothers.Acknowledginghis enthrallingentrepreneurialpassage,weengagedinan
interestingconversationwithhimtounravelthesecret behindhisuniqueandin-depthapproachtovirtualreality Herearethesnippets,
WhyisitnamedElysianStudios?
Elysian’meansdivinelyinspired.Webelieveindoingwhat weloveinthehighestformtakinginspirationfromthe Universe.BeingnativetoIndia-thelandofspirituality,we lovetoexplorethepossibilitiesthattheUniverseopensfor us.ThroughElysian,wearetryingtobringbacktheancient wisdom,andtakepeoplebeyondwhattheycanperceive, openingthemup-tothelandsofmysticismandinspiring themtoreachtheirultimatepossibility.
WhatmakesElysianStudiosdifferentfromtheothers?
Ibelieveitisauniqueandin-depthapproachtovirtual reality(VR)storytellingthatdistinguishesusinthe industry.Weproduce360°/blissfulVirtualReality experiences.Ourprocessincludespre-production, production,andpost-production.Furthermore,wealsooffer anaerialphotographyandvideographyservicesaswellas 360°ImagesandVirtualtourservices.
Byfar,arethereanyaccomplishmentsthatyou’re proudof?
st Weareoneofthe1 VRstudiosinIndiawhohavecreateda VRseries—MysticLands.TheMysticLandsdepictsome ofthemostancient,blissful,andenergeticlandslikeKashi -ThecityofLordShiva,BodhGaya-Thelandof Buddha’senlightenmentandRishikesh-Yogacapitalofthe world.Also,ourVRfilmsarereceivingmuchlovefrom variouspartsoftheworld;alsowearegettingshortlistedat variousInternationalFilmFestivalsandarefeaturedon majorVRplatforms.
COVID-19surewasunprecedented,whatisyourtake onthesituation?
IbelieveamajorcrisislikeCOVID-19willcomeandgo, however,theimportantpartiswhatwelearnfromthe situation.Itisnotjustimportanttolearnourlessons,but alsotocontinuallyapplythemafterthepandemic.
Hasthepandemicmanagedtochangeyourindustry?
Inmyopinion,theoutbreakhasprovenpositiveforour industry.Duetothepandemic,anationwidelockdownwas imposedinseveralpartsoftheworldandpeoplewere
forcedtostayintheirhouses.Thisgaverisetovirtual platforms,thusshiftingtheattentiontoVRandAR technologiesandhowtheycanbeintegratedtohelpinthe currenttimes.Lookingattheadoptionrate,Ianticipatethat soonenoughthesetechnologieswillbeimplementedinour daytodaylivesthroughsmartphonesandothergadgets.
So,didtheoutbreakorremoteworkingadverselyaffect yourteam'sfervor?
Inmyopinion,motivationforworkcomesfromwithin. Despitethesituation,ifthepersonisnotmotivatedor passionateabouthis/ertaskinevitablyitwillaffectthe work.ThisisthereasonwhyatElysianStudiosweonly workwithpeoplewholovewhattheydo.So,whetherthe worldisgoingthroughapandemicornot,welovewhatwe do.Althoughthepandemichasbroughtalongafew changes,ourteamhasswiftlyadaptedtothemandfollowed thenecessarynormstosaveourselvesfromthevirus.
Lastly,isthereanymessageyouwouldliketogivetothe aspiring,especiallyconsideringthecurrenttimes?
Manyentrepreneursareemergingfromthislandof opportunities.Mymessageforthemwouldbe—theroad aheadmightbetoughandweasentrepreneurswouldneed tochangethewayswefunction,thusafteradoptingthe requiredchanges,weshouldmovetowardsabetterfuture notjustforourselvesbutforthecompletenationand beyond.Andtrytoadoptgreentechnologytohelpour MotherEarthprosper
“
“Youmakemanymistakes duringtheearlydays; theearlieryoulearnand growintheearlierstages ofastart-up,the betterforyouandyour company’sfuture.”
CEO NIIT Limited
Dr. GREGG COLLINS &
Sapnesh Lalla
Pushing The Boundaries with an immersive approach to learning
The world will keep changing and there will always
be new challenges. The important thing is to learn from them and be prepared to face the new challenges that the future will bring,”saysSapneshLalla (CEOatNIITLimited).Sapnesh,alongwithDr.Gregg Collins(ChiefLearningScientistatNIITLimited)are twoofthebest-knownleadersintheAR/VRindustryand havecontributedgreatlytoNIIT’sstronggrowthinrecent years.
CommencementoftheJourney
SapneshwasanElectronicsandTelecommunication engineerfromBangaloreUniversity,andcompletedhis ExecutiveEducationattheRossSchoolofBusiness, UniversityofMichigan.Hestartedhiscareerincomputer programmingandsoftwarebeforehisfriendwhoworkedat NIITapproachedhim.Impressedbytheexperience, leadership,andglobalambitionofNIIT,hejoinedthe company.Inhisnearly30-yearcareerwithNIIT,Sapnesh performedavarietyofdifferentrolesincludingprogram andprojectmanagement,salesandbusinessdevelopment, andmanagementandleadershiproles.“It's been a fascinating and incredibly rewarding experience and, in some ways, it feels like it’s just begun,”headds.
Gregg,ontheotherhand,startedinartificialintelligence. ForhisPhDatYaleheoriginallystudiedhumanlearningas avehicletotrytounderstandhowcomputersmightbe programmedtolearnmoreeffectively,anexperiencethat helpedhimseetheflawsintraditionalclassroom-based training.Astheadoptionofdigitaltechnologywasona rise,heco-foundedCognitiveArtsalongwithsome colleaguesatNorthwesternUniversity,withtheaimof creatingsimulatedworldsonlineinwhichlearnerscould havealmostanylearningexperiencethatcouldhappenin reallife,butsafely,securely,andefficiently.Thecompany gainedgroundinaveryshortperiodoftime;however,the dotcomcrashof2002scuttleditsinvestmentplans,causing ittoseekanexperienced,stablecompanytoacquireit.
Consequently,NIITacquiredCognitiveArtsin2002,and GreggwasappointedasNIIT’sHeadofDesign,and eventuallytheChiefLearningScientist.AtNIIT,hehas continuedtopursuethesamevisionthatmotivatedhim originally Togetherwiththeco-foundersofNIIT,Sapnesh andGregghavebeenhelpingtopushtheenvelopeof learningscienceandlearningtechnologyeversince.
When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills “
All-in-oneImmersiveDigitalTraining
NIITLtd.isagloballeaderinskillsandtalent development,offeringbroad-basededucationandtraining solutionstocorporations,institutions,andindividualsin over30countries.Thecompanywasestablishedin1981, whentwoengineeringgraduatesfromtheIndianInstituteof TechnologyinNewDelhirealizedthattheprimaryobstacle toanITrevolutioninIndiawouldbetheneedtocreatea skilledworkforce.NIITwentglobalwithinadecadeofits inceptionandhassinceexpandeditsbusinesstoincludethe deliveryoftrainingandtraining–relatedservicestoFortune andGlobal500companiesinover30countries.
Thecompanyleveragesimmersivedigitaltraining approacheswhichincludeVR,AR,gaming,andsimulation. Thisinnovativeapproachprojectslearnersintorealistic situations,confrontsthemwiththekindsofchallengesthat mightoccuronthejob,forthemtomakedecisionsinthe faceofthesechallenges,andproviderealisticfeedbackasa consequenceofthosedecisions.Greggbelievesthatwhen theseexperientialtechnologiesarecombinedappropriately, itresultsinasuper-effectivelearningexperiencethatisso engagingthatlearnersoftenwanttokeepinteractingwith thelearningenvironmentevenaftercompletingtheirformal trainingrequirements.
PedagogicalApproachtoImmersiveLearning
“I think what distinguishes us is that we have a strong pedagogical approach to immersive learning,”asserts Sapnesh.Hecontinuouslyseekslearningmodelsthat producebetteroutcomesfaster.Hebelievesthattheprocess oflearningislikeacceleratingarelevantexperienceandis
alwaysinterestedinfindingwaysto makethisprocessmoreefficientand effective.Moreover,NIIThasateam ofhighlyexperiencedTriple-Agaming professionalsinitsstudioinEngland, whohaveworkedonbig-budget Hollywoodproductionsandhigh-end games.
Sapneshaddsthatthiscombinationof ahighly-experiencedandtechnical teamwithasoundinstructionaldesign philosophygivesNIITanedgeto producethesebetteroutcomesfaster Alongsidethisapproach,NIIT’s philosophyofcombinedgrowthisone ofthemajordriversofitssuccess.As CEO,Sapnesh’sroleistoensurethat everyonegrows.Heassertsthatthere isnothingtheycan’tachieveifthey workasateam.“Our role as NIITians is to ensure that we always put our customers first and that we give them the best possible value from their learning outcomes by helping them run training like a business,”headded.
PivotingtoDigital
TheCOVID-19pandemiccaused havocamongamajorityofindustries aroundtheworld.TheL&Dindustry toowasunderthepumpasthemajority ofcorporatetrainingtookplacein physicalclassroomswhenthe pandemichit.Asclassroomshaveshut down,digitalhasbecomethenew normal.Sapneshaddsthatthishasled toaprofoundrealignmentwithinthe L&Dworld,drivenbythreemajor shifts—PortfolioTransformation, L&DPrioritizationandAllocationof Resources,andShort-TermPlanning CyclesforDemandandSupply
NIITlauncheditsresearchonAdaptive LearningOrganizationswithJosh BersinAcademyinJanuary,whichwas waybeforethepandemichit.With COVID,Sapneshbelievesthatithas
becomeevenmoreimportanttoshare thefindingsofNIIT’sresearchthat involvedseniorlearningleadersfrom over100organizations.
Asanorganization,NIITwasableto quicklyandsafelypivottoa100% workfromhomemodel.Itreplaced physicalclassroomswithvirtualones withinashortperiodoftime. Moreover,itsetupaCOVID-19 responsetaskforceinearlyMarchand launchedamicrositewithactionable toolkitsforitscustomers.The companyhelpedmanyofitscustomers pivottodigitalwhilemanaging businesscontinuityacrossall customersandgeographies.Moreover, despitetheincreasedworkload,the teamfoundwaystoworkandstay connectedacrosstimezones.NIIT’s HRteamswereinstrumentalin organizingeverythingvirtually–from fitnesschallengestocooking challengesandevena'bringyourpet towork’day.
CrisiscreatingOpportunities
Greggbelievesthatthepandemichas createdanopportunitytomakea change,andseveralorganizationsare capitalizingontheopportunitiesby leveragingdigitaltechnologiessuchas ARandVR.Heisoptimisticaboutthe factthecrisiswillgetlearnersoutof classroomsandintoimmersiveworlds thatengagetheirnaturallearning mechanismstodeliverengagingand super-effectivelearningevents.“We’ve learned that an awful lot of what used to happen in classrooms can be carried out a lot more efficiently online without much loss of impact,”saidGregg.
Atthesametime,Sapneshasserts,the pandemichaspresentedanopportunity topreparethetalentforthefuture.He addsthatorganizationswillneeda workforcethatisagile,innovative,and
resilienttoensuresuccessinthepostpandemicworld.Accordingtohim,the high-performanceorganizationswill alsoneedtopushforbuildingnew competenciesatabusiness-unitlevel orengageincompany-widedigital transformationinitiatives.Upholding thecrucialroleoflearningleaders,he said,“At this time, across the globe, every learning leader should focus on building competencies to help build from a workforce that not only takes charge but also meets the needs of the new normal.”
VRandAR:WaveoftheFuture
Greggbelievesthatasaresultof rapidlyevolvingtechnologyandthe COVID-relatedevents,thecorporate learningsectorisonthevergeofa hugetransformation,andthat immersivetechnologiesincludingVR andARarethewaveofthefuture.“I can see a day coming when we stop doing classroom-based learning, stop teaching by telling, stop with all the boring and irrelevant page-turning elearning, stop with the PowerPoint slides, and the bullet points and the rest of it,”headds.
Sapneshtooisexcitedaboutthe infinitepossibilitiesintheimmersive learningspacefromwearablesto artificialintelligence.Headdsthat learnerexperienceandengagement willbethekeyfocusareaforNIIT Thecompanywillcontinue investmentsintechnologyinthe gamification,real-time3D,andthe virtualworldspaceaswellasits engagementandanalyticsportalalong withmobileapps.Itiscommittedto increasingvalue-addforitsclientsby strengtheningandexpandingits consultancyandadvisoryservicesand willcontinuetoremainlaser-focused onlearningoutsourcingservicesand
acceleratingitsgrowthrate.Currently,thereisa gapbetweenbeingeducatedandbeingjob-ready Inthenearfuture,SapneshandGreggaimto bridgethatgapwithNIIT’sinnovativesolutions.
“KeepGoing”
Sapneshsaysthatinthefaceofthepandemic,theworldno choicebuttokeepgoing.Addressingthesuccessmantraof NIIT,hesaidthatduringthepandemic,theteamfocusedon what’simportantandkeptgoingtokeepitsheadsabovethe water.Beinganeternaloptimist,headvisestheyoung entrepreneurs—“Change is around the corner–we just have to keep making our way through the rough patches.”
We think that currently there is a gap between being educated and being ‘ job ready’ and we will aim to bridge that skills gap
Ran Craycraft
HOWTO FAILYOUR WAYTO CEO
Tiredofthesameolddigitalcampaignsand reskinnedapps,RanCraycraftandKevinNg formedWildebeestasamodernalternativeto campaign-focusedcreativeagenciesanddesign-absentdev shops.ThefoundershadavisionforWildebeestasa product-driventeamthatcouldcreatesoftwarebetterand fasterwhendesignandtechnologywereequalstakeholders fromthestart.Ran,design,andKevin,technology,have equalsalaries,equalequity,andanequallyoptimisticview oftheirteam.
Thecompanybeganin2014workingexclusivelywith entrepreneurstodevelopbigideasandbringthemtomarket butquicklyshiftedfocustohelpingestablishedbrandstake bigswings.Withintwoyears,Wildebeestbecameoneof themostsought-afterdigitalagenciesforbrandslike Google,Disney,Microsoft,GeneralMotors,andmore. Wildebeestpioneersincombiningtechnologiesinnew waysthatmaynotyetbecommonorseempossible.Often thisleadstopushingthelimitsofAugmentedReality,crossplatformsoftware,andnewtakesonexperientialIoTapps. “Our calling card is to shape tomorrow’s technology into easy-to-use interfaces for today,”saidRan.
Beingtheco-founderandCEO,Ranseeshisbiggest responsibilityisasamentortohisteam.Hebelievesthat thecompany’sgrowthdependslargelyontheacumenof eachteammember.Thus,heensuresthattherightpeople areintherightrolestoallowthebusinesstogrowandgive
eachpersonthetoolsandspacetheyneedtospreadtheir wings.Inmanycases,thatmeansWildebeestemployeesare encouragedtotryonseveralhats.Agoodexampleofthatis RanoverseeingbothNewBusinessandCreativeDirection aswellasanyHRdutiesalongtheway.Kevinkeepshis handsjustasfullastheCTOwhoalsooverseesproject management.
Our team of Mirror Review sat down with Ran to further understand how the idea of Wildebeest has evolved.
Whatmadeyoucallquitstothe‘normal9-5’?
IstartedmycareerinNewYorkCityatNBCasaninternin theearly2000sandgraduallyclimbedmywaytoSenior Producer TheroleofProductManagerwasn’tcommon backthen,butthat’swhatIdid.Icreatednewproductideas tosupportNBCUniversaltelevisionandfilmcontent.It wastrialbyfireinalotofwaysaswewereexploringthe possibilitiesofstreamingmedia,mobileapps,andvirtual worldsintheearlydaysofdigitalcontent.Afterseveral hard,butgoodyears,Igotlaidoffanditreallyshookmy world.Ilikedthatjobalotandinhindsight,itwasabig partofmyidentity Then,ImademywayovertoAOL whereIlearnedaboutscalabilityandmanaginglargeteams, gettingpromotedfromDirectorofProducttoGeneral ManageroftheEntertainmentdivision.Ifoundmyselfon theWestCoastmoreoftenthannotandoptedtoputdown rootsinLosAngeles.Inastrangeturnofevents,myteam
Co-Founder & CEO
wasabruptlydissolvedandIfoundmyselfwithanother severancepackage.It’sabrutalfeelingtoworkreally hardforacompany,berecognizedforexcellence,and thenbeescortedtothedoor That’swhenIrealized,my creativityandpassionmightnotbetherightfitfora normal9-5.Asanentrepreneur,I’vefoundthatthe passionIputintomyworkhasadirectcorrelationtoour success.
Howwillyoudescribeyourentrepreneurialjourney?
Runningyourownbusinessgivesyousomeofthehighest highsandlowestlowsyoucanimagine.Wildebeestwasa lothardertogetstartedthanIthoughtitwouldbe.You’ve gottohavethestomachforarollercoasterandfrankly,the inabilitytosuccessfullydoanythingelsewell.Itseems likeeachyear,we’vehadadifferentseismiceventthatwe havetolearntoreactandrecalibrateto.Now,sixyearsin, ourskinhasgrownthickandourconfidencetopersevere isunrivaled.
Sincetheinceptionhowhasthegrowthtrajectory changed?
Ithinkourfirstprojectwasfor$500.Wehadtostart somewhereandwhenyoudon’tyethaveasolidportfolio, it’stough.Earlyon,ourvisionofgrowthwasmeasuredin bodies.Ittookusawhiletorealizethatthenumberof seatsyoufilldoesn’thaveanequalrelationshiptoa healthybusiness.Whenwestartedwearingmorehatsand hiringpeoplewhowantedtobeintheproblem-solving process,ourbusinesstrulybegantogrow.
HowhastheCOVID-19outbreakaffectedtheAR-VR industry?
We’veseenmanyfolkswhowereadamantlyagainst workingwithremoteteamscomearoundand wholeheartedlyembraceit.COVIDhasopenedupmore traditionalbrandstotheideaofvirtualeventsand experiences—creatingmanyopportunitiesforaugmented realityandlivevideostreamingcustomsoftwareprojects.
HowdidCOVID-19affectyouoryourteammateson thepersonalfront?
Manyofourfriendsandrelativeshavebeenaffectedby COVID,especiallyontheEastCoast.Fortunately,none ofourteammembershavetestedpositive.Ithasbeena scaryandemotionaltimeforallofusbutIthinkithas broughtourteamallalittleclosereventhoughwe’re
actuallyfurtherapart.Ithinkit’sbeengoodforeveryone tohavetimealonetohealandtakestockinwhat’smost important.Webelievestronglyinwork-lifebalance,so wedoourbesttomakesureeachpersononourteamisas happyandhealthyascanbe.
Arethereanyspecialmeasuresthatyouundertookin responsetothepandemic?
Weimplementedapolicyearly-onforourteamtohave theflexibilityofworkingfromanywhereaslongasthey couldoverlapwithourteam’snormalworkinghours. Also,westartandendeachdaywithateamstandup.This giveseveryoneachancetotalkabouttheirgoalsforthe dayandthendiscusstheiraccomplishmentsand challenges.
Additionally,onahuman-front,we’redoingourbestto complimentourclientprojectswithcausesimportantto ourteam.WerecentlylaunchedanequalityChrome ExtensioncalledBlackOutAdsandhelpedlauncha nonprofitforformerlyhomelessyouth.I’vealsobeen veryactiveinmycommunitymakingsureseniorsand thoselessfortunatehaveaccesstothenecessitiesduring thisdifficulttime.
Howareyouplanningtoscaleyourcompanyinthe future?
Thefutureiswideopenforus.We’reverygratefulforthe agenciesandbrandswhocontinuereachingouttoexplore whatbringingourteamin-housecouldlooklike.Ithink thepandemichascausedmanycompaniestore-evaluate theirmodelsandfindwaystotakemoreownershipof theirplatforms.Ultimately,whetherweremainan independentagencyorrollupintoanotherteam,aslong aswe’remakingproductstomakepeoplefeelbetter, we'reontherighttrack.
Isthereanythingspecificyouwouldliketoconveyto thereaders?
Ifyou’rethinkingoflaunchingsomething,nowisthe righttimetodoit,whatever“it”is.It’salwaysgoingtobe hard,thetimingwillneverbeperfect,butifyouhavean ideathat’seatingyouupandyoucan’timaginedoing anythingelse,thendropwhatyou’redoingandputevery ounceofenergyintogettingyourproductinfrontofusers asfastaspossible.Makemistakes,adjust,androllitout againbetterthanbefore.Lookathowtheworldis changingandimaginehowyourideascouldmakeit better
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Our experienced team of digital marketers, designers, and engineers imagine and create products of the future, today.
& Creative Director
A Strategic Problem Solver and a Successful Brand Builder Roberto Carpinteyro
Intheearly90s,marketingwasnotasmuchevolved andmostofthecompaniesofferedtraditional marketingservices.Thesemarketingstrategieswere limitedtoprintmedia.However,withtheintroductionof theinternetinthemid-90s,everyindustryunderwentrapid changeandgrowth.Themarketingcompanieswere utilizingthetoolsprovidedbytheinternetandrevolutionize theirapproach.Lookingbackwewillrealizejusthowfar wehaveaccomplishedwithmodernmarketinganditmakes uswonderwhatwehavetodiscoverandlearn.Thoughwe areattheverybeginningofmodernmarketing,we’ve certainlymadeleapsandboundsofgrowthfromprint marketingtointeractivetechintegratedmarketing strategies.
Lookingatthegrowthdemographicsitissurprisingto witnessacompanythatwouldhavesurvivedallthe changesthatthemarketingindustryexperienced.This bringsourattentiontoPolarMultimediawhichwas establishedin1994—established at the same time when the internet emerged Thecreativeagencywasestablishedto heedtherequisitecreativityinMexicoandLATAM.Where othercompaniesfailtoadapttothechanges,Polar Multimediawasswifttoadoptthetransformationandhas beenembarkedonasuccessfuljourneyof27years.
ACoach,Player,andMentor
RobertoCarpinteyro(CEOandCreativeDirector)has beenabigpartofthesuccessfuljourneyofthecompany
Robertoisfluentincreativepositioningandstrategy.Heis wellversedwiththeexperienceforexecutionacrossthe entiremarketingandcreativeprocess.Likewise,he leverageshisexpertisetodriveresultsforthebusiness category,brands,andbusinessobjectives.Robertoisalso wellrecognizedasastrategicproblemsolverandapositive partnerforallmanagementteams.Asaleader,he supervisesthecreativeprocesstoensureon-timeandonbudgetresults.
Hebringsthesparkofcreativity,experience,passion,and enthusiasmtobusinessesthatneedit,butarenotgettingit.
“I relish creating big ideas for businesses—not necessarily just for big established brands. Brand integration is second nature, whether starting from scratch or taking established brands to the next level or even higher,”saidRoberto.
RobertoCarpinteyroholdsanaward-winningreputationfor consistentlymaintaininghighstandardsofexecutionand attentiontodetailinallaspectsofdigitalcreation.So,we engagedinaninterestingconversationwiththestrategic problemsolvertounderstandthedynamicsoftheindustry andhowhasthepandemicaffectedthesector.Herearethe snippets,
Wasbeingoneoftheearlyestablishersofthemarketing agencybeneficialforthefirm?
Wewereestablishedatthesametimewhentheinternet emergedso,wehadtogrowandevolveonthego.Today,in
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COVID-19 has changed completely the ‘future’ that we are living now, it’s unbelievable to realize that advertising and communication had not evolved as we assumed.”
perspective,Ithinkitwasthebesttimetobeborninthe communicationsindustrybecausewedidnothave prejudicesoringrainedcustomsaboutthebestwaytodo things,fromthefirstdaywegetusedtolearninganditis naturalforustocontinuedoingit.
WhataretheuniqueservicesthatPolarMultimedia excelsat?
Quotingtheveryattachedtorealityphrase: “in the world, everything has already said, but since it was not always heard, it is worth saying it again.”
SoweknowthatwearenotdiscoveringtheMediterranean, butweareofferingnewtailor-madeexperiencesbyan interestingcombinationoftechnologyandnewapps.Our expertisereliesontheimplementationofAR,VR,AI, amongothers,withinBTLadvertisingachievingamore certainimpactonthebrand'sengagementwithits consumers.Ourbusinessmodels,creativity,andservice haveearnedusthesuccessfulyearsandimportantpraisesin theadvertisingindustry.
Havinganastonishingjourneyof27years,arethere anyawardsoraccoladesyou'reproudof?
Duringourtrajectory,wewererecognizedbyourclientsas acreativeextensionofthem,andinmanycases,becoming indispensabletoachievetheirobjectives.Althoughweare notanagencythatfrequentlyparticipatesinfestivalswe've beenawardeddifferentrecognitionssuchasDiseña México,a!Design,andsomeawardsofthepharmaand travelindustries,aswellasexpoexhibition,stands, websitesandmagazines.Theuniqueachievementthat makesusparticularlyproudisourPOLARlogohasbeen publishedseveraltimesasoneofthebestinthedesign industry.
DidtheCOVID-19outbreakaffecttheservicesofPolar Multimedia?
Ibelieveevolutionisthekey AtPolarweevolve,wehave beendoingthisfor25years,adaptingtomarketconditions andavailabletechnology.
Though2020broughtfewchangesinthebusinessmodel,it hasalsoacceleratedthedemandforthedigitalneedsofthe future.Atthebeginningofthepandemic,companieswere facedwiththeimmediateneedtokeepintouchwiththeir consumers,atthisstageitwasverynoticeablethatthey werenotpreparedforthisimmediatechange,sotheybegan toabusetheuseofemailblastsuntiltheyfulfilledtheir trays.Furthermore,severalaudaciouscompanies implementedremoteactivitiesforemployeeengagement butfailedinexecution.
Alloftheabovegaveustheperfectopportunitytosolvethe problemthroughARandVRapplications,effectively supplyingtheface-to-facemeeting.Thisbecamea favorablescenariofordeveloperslikeus.
Howareyoudealingwiththechallengesputforthby thepandemicfortheemployees?
Assoonasthelockdownwasannouncedweequippedour teamwiththehardware,furniture,andhigh-speedinternet fortheirhome-offices.Duetothis,wewereabletoachieve thedevelopmentofnewideasandtheirimplementation becamesofunanddelightfultodevelop,test,and experienceourbrandnewsolutionsasauser.Also,weused ourfullyfunctionalprototypestogiveadigitalimmersion thatallowspeopletoforgettemporarilythepandemic scenario.
Additionally,weimplementedextrarewardsandincentives toour—mostly millennials—staffforthebrainstormingfor thisnewreality
Haveyououtlinedanyroadmapforthefuture?
Ithinkithasbeenestablished—considering the pandemic—thatpredictingthefutureisverydifficult. Although,thetechadvancementsinAR,VR,andAIare fairlynewandwillrequireafewyearstodevelopfurther andincreaseitsadoption.Likewise,severalcompanieshave specificcommunicationandprocessautomationneedsthat we'llbeabletosolvewiththeseadvancements.Thuswe willcontinuetotrainandhiringstaffwithnewskillsto becomeanopinionleaderagency
Whatwouldyouadvisetheaspiring,especially consideringtherecentglobalchangesduetothe pandemic?
Iamconvincedthattheworldhaschangedforever,no matterhowmuchwewantit,itwillnotreturntotheway welivedit.Thebestwecandoisstartcreatingthisnew worldfromnowon,wehavethegoldenopportunitytobe theguidesforcustomersinthisnewrealityifwelearnto adaptourservicestoday
THE USA LEADERS IS AN ILLUMINATING DIGITAL PLATFORM THAT DRIVES THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN LEADERS DISRUPTING TECHNOLOGY WITH AN UNPARALLELED APPROACH.