The gamification market is flourishing as brands seek to engage potential customers in novel ways. But what do people get out of these ads and campaigns? Canvas8 spoke to Nannan Xi, a researcher at Gamification Group, to learn how different game elements affect consumer-brand relationships.

As some people struggle to adapt to remaining indoors under COVID-19 lockdown, the Zenly app is gamifying behavioural change with a social distancing leaderboard. With research showing that gamification can increase brand loyalty, there’s an opportunity for brands to make good of a bad situation.

The digestion of content is changing. From social media to entertainment, people are watching more vertical videos, and industries are beginning to take notice. A Russian director is releasing a blockbuster movie shot entirely in vertical in the hopes of engaging on-the-go smartphone users.

Children and young people who have experienced loss often need bespoke help to start to heal from their trauma. Offering children a digital sanctuary to escape to when the real world becomes too much, Apart of Me is an app where they can explore, engage with, and navigate their grief.