Putney & BarkleyOKRP introduce “Brick and mobile” virtual storefronts for Black Shop Friday.

Addressing the reality that only 36% of Black-owned businesses operate physical brick-and-mortar stores, Putney—the Black-owned agency within BarkleyOKRP—launched an innovative “Brick and mobile” campaign for Black History Month. The initiative transformed 34 online Black-owned businesses into interactive 3D virtual retail spaces utilizing augmented reality (AR) and Snap Lenses.

By placing scannable QR decals on the windows of vacant physical storefronts in Chicago, Putney created digital portals that allowed passersby to “walk inside,” browse virtual shelves, and seamlessly purchase products online. Building on the agency’s broader Black Shop Friday initiative launched in 2020, the effort demonstrates how immersive technology can bridge retail equity gaps and scale digital small-business visibility into tangible commerce.

Read the full coverage.

• Read the full story on MediaPost.
• Read the full story on Little Black Book.
• Read the creative feature on Ad Age.