Digital media company drawing attention to the Lethbridge
By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on June 7, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com Lethbridge has been gaining national and international attention thanks to a local digital media production company that has partners up with a few local organizations.Winged Whale Media CEO, Ed Limon said they recently partnered up with the Tourism Lethbridge to create a 360° video and won an international award.
“We won gold for a virtual reality 360° video we did for them, to promote their sports facilities. We won actually two international awards for that specific video, the NYX and then the other one which is even more renowned is called the Telly Awards,” said Limon.
They have also partnered up with the Lethbridge Lodging Association, also known as VisitLethbridge, to create what he believes to be Canada’s first interactive web-based XR app.
XR stands for extended reality, which is an umbrella term for the different types of reality created by technology like Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 360° videos.
“We were able to create this curated app that allows you to explore the city of Lethbridge and surrounding areas, by going through a map by clicking on different hotspots that would take you to a VR experience,” said Limon.
 The app is called VisitLethbridge XR and contains a few options. In there people can find Explore 3D, and Just how Big is the Lethbridge Viaduct which can be used from anywhere there is a QR code to access it.
“The Lethbridge Viaduct, this huge bridge and you’ll be able to get close to it or almost touch it with your phone, you’re able to compare it to let’s say the Statue of Liberty and the height of it, or how many houses, or just different items that would really give you an idea as to how long or tall the bridge is,” said Limon.
He said at the moment the app is being advertised in Great Falls, Calgary and Edmonton airports and very soon it will be advertised at the Lethbridge airport.
“They will be running campaigns to get Lethbridge’s businesses on board. They are also purchasing space within visitor guides such as Cardston County,” said Limon.
Two of the options also found in this app,can be used while in Lethbridge. The Nature Tracker and ‘Canes Puck Storm.
“Nature Tracker is very similar to Pokémon Go, where you would be looking for animals that pertain to southern Alberta and Lethbridge area. So, you’re walking on a trail where there will be a QR, you would scan it with your phone to unlock the app, and the beautiful thing about it is you don’t need to download anything to try it as it is web based,” said Limon.
When it comes to QR codes across the city, Limon said VisitLethbridge is working with the city on 20 locations within parks, and everything should be in full swing in the next few weeks.Â
He said the ‘Canes Puck Storm allows those in attendance to scan a QR code that appears in the Jumbotron to enjoy an interactive game.
“During the halftime event, a massive QR code would pop up on the Jumbotron and out pops this giant robot that is branded with the opposing teams jersey, or colour, or logo that would come from the ice and you’re literally fighting the opponents by throwing pucks at it from the comfort of your seat,” said Limon.
For more information about the app, or to take a peek visit https://xr.visitlethbridge.com/ Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter 4
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