2 minute read
100 Metaverse recruits
Metaverse recruits
From virtual material designers to creatives across the board, companies are hiring for a metaverse workforce.
Advertisement
The metaverse virtually recreates pretty much all aspects of life, and recruitment is no different. “In the coming years, companies of all kinds are increasingly going to be re-orienting towards a hybrid model of virtual and physical work, production, commerce and communications,” Grant Paterson, head of gaming and esports at Wunderman Thompson, explains. “The dual forces of converging technologies and emerging consumer behaviors in virtual places makes the cultivation of a ‘virtual pillar’ critical for many, if not all, businesses.”
Nike filed seven trademark applications in October 2021; they include use of “downloadable virtual goods” and “retail store services featuring virtual goods.” In the same month, the company started recruiting virtual material designers to sit within its digital product creation team. The job spec describes the role as helping to “build the future of Nike Footwear materials” and ignite “the digital and virtual revolution at Nike.”
In November 2021, British television broadcaster ITV posted a position for a metaverse creative within its new Metavision initiative, which “looks to combine the worlds of gaming, entertainment and advertising.” The role involves creating metaverse brand activations from concept stage to execution.
“Is it time to hire a chief metaverse officer?” Vogue Business mused in an October 2021 article that noted the rise in augmented retail, virtual venues and digital possessions. Partnering with external tech and games companies has been the trend of the past year; now brands are seeking out talent of their own to accelerate the technological offerings of the metaversee.
Why it’s interesting Remember when social media became mainstream and companies scrambled to hire social media leads? Recruiting talent to help build offerings around the metaverse will be reminiscent of that hurry to hire, and maybe even more urgent.
ABOUT WUNDERMAN THOMPSON INTELLIGENCE
Wunderman Thompson Intelligence is Wunderman Thompson’s futurism, research and innovation unit. It charts emerging and future global trends, consumer change, and innovation patterns—translating these into insight for brands. It offers a suite of consultancy services, including bespoke research, presentations, co-branded reports and workshops. It is also active in innovation, partnering with brands to activate future trends within their framework and execute new products and concepts. The division is led by Emma Chiu and Marie Stafford, Global Directors of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence.
For more information visit:
wundermanthompson.com/expertise/intelligence
About The Future 100
Wunderman Thompson Intelligence’s annual forecast presents a snapshot of the year ahead and identifies the most compelling trends to keep on the radar. The report charts 100 trends across 10 sectors, spanning culture, tech and innovation, travel and hospitality, brands and marketing, food and drink, beauty, retail and commerce, luxury, health and work.
CONTACT
Emma Chiu Global Director of Wunderman Thompson Intelligence emma.chiu@wundermanthompson.com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Emma Chiu
EDITOR
Emily Safian-Demers
WRITERS
Marie Stafford, Chen May Yee, Elizabeth Cherian, Sarah Tilley, Carla Calandra, Jamie Shackleton, Safa Arshadullah
SUB EDITORS
Hester Lacey, Katie Myers
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Shazia Chaudhry
COVER
Raspberry Dream Labs
FONTS USED
Lust Didone; Helvetica Neue (TT)
©2022 Wunderman Thompson Intelligence. All rights reserved. The contents of this report cannot be replicated, extracted or hosted without consent. Sharing of this report is permitted only via link to the original report download page on intelligence. wundermanthompson.com, unless explicit consent is otherwise granted.