‘Excited to be building the future with incredible talent from India’: Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel

Snap Inc. celebrated APAC AR Day in Mumbai. The one-day event focussed on Snapchat's AR leadership, Indian creators, Evan Spiegel's vision, and India's growing AR community.

Snapchat | Snapchat India | APAC AR Day 2023

Globally, AR leads to a remarkable 94 per cent higher conversion rate when consumers engage with products. (Image Source: Snapchat)

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Popular technology company, Snap Inc hosted its inaugural APAC AR Day in Mumbai today. The occasion saw the company celebrating its growing popularity in the use of Augmented Reality across a broad spectrum of applications.

The event witnessed a surprise visit by Snap Inc CEO and Co-Founder, Evan Spiegel, who took the centre stage. The CEO emphasised on the company’s grand vision and hailed the involvement of local developer communities from India. He went on to introduce some of the star creators from India in his brief interaction with Mohan and the attendees.

“I love the energy of the young and vibrant Indian developer community. With over 200 million Snapchatters in India, we’re seeing more and more creators, developers, and brands tap into our community’s passion for AR experiences. We’re excited to be building the future with such incredible local talent,” said Spiegel.

Spiegel said that with over 250 million people engaging with AR on Snapchat every day, Indian developers and creators are instrumental in building strong businesses. The company said that the Snap AR community in India grew by 60 per cent in 2022. The event also highlighted the growing significance of AR in consumer retail segments.

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The event keynote was delivered by Snap APAC President Ajit Mohan. He hailed the local developer community and their innovative collaborations with brand partners.

“Snapchat is deeply committed to empowering these creators, offering monetization avenues and providing innovative tools to support their creative aspirations. We are honoured to have had creators from all over India and across APAC attend Snap’s AR Day to celebrate this ongoing innovation,” said Mohan.

Apart from Mohan, the event saw numerous sessions led by Snap experts such as Ty Ahmad-Taylor, Snap’s VP of Product Growth, Resh Sidhu, Global Director Arcadia, Snap’s AR Creative Studio, Haran Ramachandran, Snap’s APAC Head of Creative Strategy, and Jeremy Voss, Snap’s Director of Product.

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The engaging sessions showcased the ingenious ways AR innovations are undertaken by Snapchat. From businesses to regular users, AR technology is redefining the way content is consumed. As part of the AR day, visitors were introduced to several interactive AR try-on stations.

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Snapchat has become a sought-after platform for brands due to its unique audience and advanced advertising options, especially with the increasing use of AR among Indian users. In India, 95 per cent of Gen Z individuals express interest in using AR for shopping, with 73 per cent believing it offers a more customised experience. Globally, AR leads to a remarkable 94 per cent higher conversion rate when consumers engage with products, reducing return rates by 25 per cent.

To celebrate Diwali, Snapchat plans to engage its 200 million Indian users with special Diwali-themed AR Lenses. One such Lens, “Sweets Make My Diwali Complete,” created by Snap Lens Network creator Karishma Katiyar. It enhances mithai shops with firecrackers, diyas, and floral decorations, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Bijin Jose

Bijin Jose serves as an Assistant Editor at Indian Express Online in New Delhi. A seasoned technology journalist with a diverse portfolio, he brings over a decade of experience in the media industry to his coverage of the evolving digital landscape and emerging technologies. Experience & Career Bijin commenced his journalistic journey in 2013 as a citizen journalist with The Times of India. His career trajectory includes significant tenures at prestigious media organizations including India Today Digital and The Economic Times. This diverse professional background, ranging from legacy print institutions to dynamic digital platforms, culminated in his current leadership role at The Indian Express, where he helps shape the publication's technology narrative. Expertise & Focus Areas Bijin has transitioned from general reporting to a specialized focus on the intersection of technology and humanity. His key areas of expertise include: Artificial Intelligence: deeply tracking developments in AI, providing nuanced perspectives on its ethical,industrial, and societal implications. Tech Commentary: moving beyond product specifications to analyze how technology reshapes daily life. Diverse Reporting Foundation: draws upon a robust background in crime reporting and cultural features to bring a human-centric approach to technical storytelling. Authoritativeness & Trust Bijin’s editorial voice is informed by a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Arts in English from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and a Master of Arts in English Literature. This literary background enables him to deconstruct complex technical jargon into accessible, compelling narratives. His steady progression through India’s top newsrooms underscores his reputation for editorial rigor and reliable journalism. Find all stories by Bijin Jose here ... Read More