Hermes has gone live with its service that allows senders to send video messages to the recipients of their parcels.
Launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day, Hermes Play allows the seller to record a video and upload it via the Hermes Send app.
This then automatically creates a 2D barcode which is added to the parcel label. The recipient can then scan the code and watch the video message on their phone or tablet.
The technology makes use of augmented reality so that the video is overlaid on top of the parcel itself.
Hermes Play is currently free to smaller sellers and consumers, but will be launched to retail clients later this year. The carrier envisages it being used by retailers to further personalise their service to consumers with promotions or how-to instructions for products.
Chris Ashworth, CIO at Hermes UK, said: “At Hermes this year our mission is to make parcels even more personal and our digital teams have been working hard to create new and exciting initiatives.
“Hermes Play is a unique, fantastic service that can be used by consumers to send messages to family and friends or by businesses for a more commercially focussed approach. It’s designed to create a personal connection and make the experience of sending and receiving a parcel just that little bit more special.”