(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
Virtual influencers are no longer a gimmick—they are now outperforming many human KOLs in consistency, availability, and creative control. The smartest overseas brands are blending real and virtual influencers into hybrid campaigns that feel both futuristic and deeply relatable. These are the strategies dominating 2025.
- Creating Fully Owned Virtual Brand Ambassadors
1.1 Hyper-Realistic Digital Humans with Chinese DNA Virtual idols designed with local facial features, accents, and cultural references (e.g., Chengdu-girl personality, northeastern humor) achieve follower growth rates 3× faster than Western-looking avatars. Motion-capture SaaS now enables same-day content production.
1.2 24/7 Availability Advantage Virtual KOLs can livestream, reply to comments, and post new content every hour without burnout. Brands using this model dominate late-night and early-morning shopping windows that human KOLs can’t cover.
- Real + Virtual Duet Performances
2.1 Side-by-Side Livestreams Human KOLs appearing alongside their virtual “best friends” in split-screen creates surreal yet engaging content. The combination of human emotion + perfect virtual execution routinely breaks platform concurrent viewership records.
2.2 Virtual KOLs Attending Real-World Events Projecting life-sized virtual influencers onto stages at 618 or 11.11 galas using holographic technology. Fans queue for hours to take photos with characters that feel impossibly real.
- Narrative Continuity Across Realms
3.1 Cross-Reality Story Arcs Campaigns that begin in the real world (human KOL teaser), continue in the virtual world (animated series), and resolve back in reality (limited physical drop). Consumers follow obsessively across platforms.
3.2 Fan-Voted Virtual Storylines Allowing followers to vote on what the virtual influencer does next via mini-program, then producing the chosen path within 24 hours. Engagement stays sky-high for months.
- Cost-Controlled Scalability
4.1 Infinite Wardrobe & Location Changes Virtual KOLs can wear any outfit and appear in any location instantly—no photoshoots required. Creative teams using 3D asset SaaS libraries cut production costs by up to 70% versus human talent. - Case Study: American Casual Wear “AYAYI” Partnership Phenomenon
A U.S. casual clothing brand partnered with China’s top virtual influencer AYAYI for a 100-day “digital twin” campaign. Every piece AYAYI wore was released as a real product the same day. The virtual-human duo generated 2.8 billion cross-platform impressions, drove 1.2 million new Tmall followers, and achieved the highest ROAS (28:1) in the brand’s China history.
Conclusion
Virtual influencers give overseas brands god-mode creative control while preserving emotional connection through hybrid human collaborations. The future is already here—and it’s posting 20 times a day without ever needing coffee. Ready to build your own undefeatable digital ambassador?
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well-known Chinese internet e-commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e-commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation! info@pltfrm.cn
