AI powers news-style marketing videos

Companies can create their own virtual news anchors with Hour One’s new feature.

An AI company that specializes in the development of virtual humans has launched a new tool giving brands the ability to create news-style videos. 

Hour One’s news feature allows users to select from a range of 3D newsroom environments for their virtual news anchors. 

There are several virtual news anchors to choose from or users can create their own. Once selected, the virtual character will read from a script provided to them. 

The videos are designed for use in branding and marketing, as well as news and media applications. Users have the option to make their videos more dynamic by using a variety of shots from closeups to panning. 

Below is an example of the news feature for an explainer video on micro-learning.

“News and media companies around the world understand the value of creating more video content but filming live news anchors in a studio environment requires a lot of time and investment," said Natalie Monbiot, Hour One’s head of strategy. 

“For news stations and media publishers, access to virtual anchors and studios removes these obstacles, and unlocks endless new possibilities, including localization of news content and 24-hour newscasting”

Hour One’s news solution is similar to DeepBrain’s realistic 3D chatbots that can answer questions while producing appropriate lip movements and gestures for use in customer service and new media.

Hour One’s foray into news-style videos comes after its recent work with video greeting platform Cameo to create an AI-powered version of the animated character, Boss Baby for personalized video messages.