
NEXT/NOW™
A leading name in the VR industry
1200 W Lake St. Ste 2, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United Stateshttps://nextnowagency.com
NEXT/NOW™ Overview
- Number of Employees
- Under 49
- Minimal Budget
- $50,000 & Up
- Average Hourly Rate
- Inquire
- Year Founded
- 2011
The exceptional work of NEXT/NOW has earned them several prestigious awards, including the 2020 Platinum Hermes Creative Awards, 2020 Gold Muse Creative Awards, 2018 Ad Age Small Agency Award, 2018 Event Marketer IT List recognition, and multiple gold, silver, and bronze honors at the 2018 EventTech awards. These accolades highlight their commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering awe-inspiring experiences to their clients. Choose NEXT/NOW to unlock the full potential of virtual and augmented reality, and embark on a journey that will leave your audience in awe.
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NEXT/NOW™ Services
Advertising Expertise
- Experiential Marketing
Video Production Expertise
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- Motion Graphics
NEXT/NOW™ Portfolio

Software Development
S&C Electric Mixed Reality Experience

Software Development
Adidas Faster Than MR Activation

Software Development
Michelin Cross Climate 2 Virtual Product Launch

Software Development
McDonald's Brand Virtual Pit Crew Challenge

Software Development
'Be Like Steph' - Gesture Control

Software Development
LG Final Four Fan Fest

Software Development
Allstate 'In High Gear' VR
NEXT/NOW™ Reviews
Reviews from Google Maps and DesignRush are available on this profile.
All reviews
- All reviews
- Google reviews
- DesignRush reviews
Next/Now helped realize our ambituous mixed reality vision for educating automotive consumers about safety features, driving assistance, and parking assistance with holographic imagery that can be deployed in real world space. We were able to engage consumers on the field without any special equipment besides modern phones and tablets. I would definitely recommend Next/Now to other agencies, as they bulldozed project obstacles, put a lot of love into details, and made our CG really stand out. "Project Name: Mixed Reality Experience for Automotive Education
- Project Type:
- VR/AR
- Company size:
- 250 - 499
- Industry:
- Marketing and Advertising
Lovely brilliant people at NEXT/NOW. Truly innovators in their ever-changing field! "Macee Jo Mueller's Review Sourced from Google
Charlie and the people at Next/Now are really great! They were very accommodating at our Event. The space is very nice and have the coolest job designing AR/VR experiences. "Dave Pasciuto's Review Sourced from Google
Next/Now is Chicago's hidden gem. I couldn't believe my good fortune when I found them. Well versed in creating just about every interactive experience you can think of, they bring to life virtual reality, augmented reality, gesture control, projection mapping and interactive videos walls to life. In a world that constantly seeks to avoid advertising and many branded messages, Next/Now consistently produces brand experiences that people actually flock to. This is what drew me to them after 10 years of traditional advertising. Their nimble, strategic teams produce quality content and share-worthy moments. If you'd like to stop living in the 80s and move into the future of brand and content creation, call on Next/Now. "Kristen Youngman's Review Sourced from Google
I worked with Next/Now on a proposal for a marketing event and was completely blown away. First of all, the people we worked with were top-notch. Mark, Kristen and Randy were professional, creative and delightful. Second, their technology is simply amazing. The ideas they had for our event used the most innovative technology I've ever seen and their quoted price was surprisingly reasonable. I highly recommend checking out what these guys have to offer, "Caitlin Gorman's Review Sourced from Google
Next/Now is a great bunch of people living right on the edge of amazing interactive experiences all the time- VR, AR, or wherever else you need them to take you.Chicago Creative Coalition enjoyed an exceptional event they hosted for us there on Augmented Reality and its many commercial and creative applications in engaging the people we serve. Can't recommend them enough! "George Berlin's Review Sourced from Google
DesignRush
Agency Profile Review
Comprehensive analysis done by DesignRush Agency Experts.
What is NEXT/NOW™ Best For
- Comprehensive service offerings in Advertising, Internet of Things, Software Development, Video Production, and VR/AR
- Expertise in delivering innovative solutions across diverse industries such as technology, consumer goods, and automotive
- Trusted by leading brands like Chevron, Under Armour, and Adidas to enhance their digital presence and engage audiences
Strengths Assessment/Agency Pros
- Excellent service quality and attention to detail
- High levels of client satisfaction and positive feedback
- Strong communication and collaboration with clients
- Innovative solutions tailored to client needs
- Timely delivery of projects and adherence to deadlines
- Competitive pricing for the value provided
Portfolio
Expertise
Software development, mixed reality experiences, virtual product launches, and immersive technology.
Industries
Sports, automotive, electronics, and consumer goods.
Breakdown
- 30% - Mixed reality experiences
- 25% - Virtual product launches
- 20% - Interactive event activations
- 25% - Gaming and simulation development
Results
- Attracted approximately 5,000 users to the LG Final Four Fan Fest, generating thousands of social media impressions.
- Created an award-winning virtual reality NASCAR pit crew challenge, enhancing fan engagement through a unique immersive experience.
- Delivered real-time integrated feedback during the Adidas Faster Than MR Activation, allowing users to track their performance effectively.
Clientele
Clientele Review
NEXT/NOWâ„¢ serves a diverse clientele consisting of well-established brands across various industries, with a clear emphasis on recognized corporations and agencies.
Client Types
- 25% – Startups
- 50% – Medium Sized Businesses 25% – Enterprise
Notable Clients
- Chevron
- Aveda
- American Family Insurance
- Adidas
- Under Armour
Why Hire Them
- 2020 Platinum Hermes Creative Awards for excellence in creative work in the industry.
- 2020 Gold Muse Creative Awards, recognizing innovative creativity and technical skill.
- 2018 Ad Age Small Agency Award, highlighting their impact within the advertising industry.
- 2018 Event Marketer IT List recognition for standout performance in event marketing.
- Experience in immersive digital solutions with a skilled leadership team rooted in creative technology.
- Founder and CCO Alan Hughes emphasizes the integration of digital content with physical experiences.
- Director of Business Development Randy Gress ensures project alignment with client visions and brand goals.
- Team members specialize in generative art, AI visual systems, and immersive experiences using modern technology.
NEXT/NOW™ Team Bios

Alan Hughes
Founder / CCO
Alan Hughes is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of NEXT/NOW. His focus is creating digital content and interaction that thematically, creatively, and architecturally feel ‘as one’ with a physical experience and environment.

Randy Gress
Director of Business Development
Randy has been with NEXT/NOW since its inception. He works with clients, partners and NEXT/NOW staff to ensure that each project realizes the client’s vision and aligns with the brand’s goals and desired outcomescomes to life.

Myles Arwine
Associate General Manager
Myles Arwine brings seven years of experience delivering digital solutions within the retail property management industry. His growth in a corporate culture combined with his creative background has resulted in a unique combination of holistic thinking, problem solving, and creative solutions.

David Najarian
Creative Director
A veteran of live event video design and production, Dave has designed for and toured the world with EDM and Hip-Hop artists like Bass Nectar and Pretty Lights. The hallmark of David’s work was an interplay of real-time generative art, motion-reactive visuals, and integrated light and laser effects.

Stuart Day
Director of Technology
Stuart is a breakthrough thinker in the realm of generative art and AI visual systems. Leading the development team at Next/Now, Stuart is instrumental in their Next-Gen thinking and expertise. His work is focused in, but not limited to Unity 3D, Unreal, VVVV, Cinder, Processing and C#.

Andrew Bihner
Lead Software Developer
Co-leading the development team, Andrew is both parts software and hardware focused. With an exponential skill set, he specializes in TouchDesigner, Unity 3D and C# softwares while also being our go-to-guy for LED wall installations.

Charlie B Williams III
Studio Manager
A champion of mentorship, Charlie has taught at the collegiate level and coordinated teaching workshops at local libraries, high schools, colleges, and creative studios, encouraging and guiding the next generation of digital artists to successful careers in the industry.


