(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
The smartest overseas brands have stopped renting human faces and started owning digital ones. In 2025, launching a proprietary virtual anchor is now the fastest path to private traffic dominance, brand immortality, and million-fan private domains. Here’s exactly how the winners are doing it.
- Creating Brand-Owned Virtual IP
1.1 From Generic Avatars to Unique Characters Full Personality Development: Top brands now commission complete character bibles—backstory, family setting, hobbies, catchphrases, and growth arcs—turning anchors into long-term IP instead of disposable hosts. Fan Economy Integration: Virtual anchors release “debut singles,” birthday merchandise, and membership tiers exactly like real idols.
1.2 Cross-Platform Character Continuity One Face, Every Platform: The same virtual anchor appears on Douyin, Kuaishou, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu with identical appearance and personality—building cumulative recognition worth tens of millions in marketing value.
- The Virtual Anchor Team Structure
2.1 Solo Star vs. Group Strategy Virtual Idol Groups: Fashion and beauty brands now launch 5-9 member groups (leader, dancer, rapper, healer archetypes) that cross-promote each other’s streams. 24/7 Coverage Teams: Three anchors working 8-hour shifts each achieve true always-on broadcasting with zero overlap gaps.
2.2 Regional Specialist Anchors Province-Locked Characters: Each major sales region gets its own permanent virtual anchor who “grew up there” and speaks the local dialect—creating unmatched cultural fit.
- Next-Year Capabilities Already in Testing
3.1 Holographic and Metaverse-Ready Anchors AR Glass Compatibility: 2026-ready avatars that will appear life-sized in Nreal and Rokid devices currently in closed beta with select brands. Virtual World Residencies: Permanent anchor homes in Zepeto and Roblox where fans visit daily.
3.2 Autonomous Content Creation Zero-Human Content Pipeline: AI anchors now write their own scripts, choose outfits, and schedule streams based on inventory and trending topics—human team only approves high-value decisions.
- Building the Private Traffic Moat
4.1 From Platform Dependency to Brand Ownership Fan Migration Pathways: Virtual anchors drive followers from public platforms into WeChat channels and mini-programs at 3-5× higher conversion than human hosts. Lifetime Value Explosion: Fans who form emotional connections with virtual characters exhibit 400-600% higher 365-day LTV.
Case Study: Australian Skincare’s Virtual Anchor Dynasty
An Australian clean beauty brand launched “Luna,” a half-Chinese half-Aussie virtual anchor with a complete coming-of-age storyline. Within 18 months, Luna grew to 11 million cross-platform followers, spawned two “sister” characters, and built a 2.8 million-member WeChat private domain—generating over RMB 1.2 billion in cumulative sales while becoming the #1 imported skincare IP among China’s Gen Z.
Conclusion
The future doesn’t belong to brands with the best human hosts—it belongs to brands that own the best digital ones. Virtual anchors are the ultimate combination of technology, culture, and emotion that overseas brands need to win China long-term. Start building your digital face today.
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
