Follow the Leader

Much has happened since we published the inaugural Williams Nicolson Trend Index 2022.

As predicted, three more global superbrands have made significant investments in the metaverse.  First, Adidas created NFTs in partnership with three key NFT players: Bored Ape Yacht Club, Pixel Valut’s PUNKS comic and crypto investor Gmoney. Second, Nike acquired the NFT studio RTFKT (pronounced ‘artifact’). Third, Walt Disney World announced plans to expand its universe to the virtual one.

If Mickey is not yet sufficient encouragement to take the metaverse seriously, consider Barbados - the first to open an embassy inside the world of Descentraland and the first to embrace digital diplomacy.

Seoul, the South Korea Capital, is also planning to enter the metaverse with its own platform by the end of 2022. Inside the space, citizens will be able to solve bureaucratic problems, access startup incubators and visit a virtual mayor’s office. Visitors will also be able to attend cultural festivals and visit virtual attractions.  

The metaverse is a replica of our reality in a virtual space.  It is also a place created from the scratch with its own rules, culture and a decentralised form of power. When companies, cities and countries take the first step inside the space, they approach a new generation. They connect with a society that understands the perks of online living.

How might your business be a first follower? “Leadership is over-glorified,“ said Derek Sivers in his brilliant three minute TED Talk, How to Start a Movement.

“The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. It takes guts to stand out like that. The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.”

Perhaps it is time to follow Mickey, consider partnerships to accelerate your metaverse presence and plant a flag. We will all be there eventually.