Burt’s Bees Taps Into Founder’s Life With VR

Burt's Bees Taps Into Founder's Life With VR Ellen Thomas Burt's Bees is bringing cofounder Burt Shavitz's bohemian, live-off-the-land mentality back to life. Last year, the brand transported the turkey coop-turned-cabin that Shavitz, who died in 2015, had been living in, along with many of his personal belongings, from Maine to Burt's Bees headquarters in Durham, North Carolina. The cabin was turned into a permanent installation offering tours to the public. This month, the brand has teamed with Google to create an immersive, virtual-reality experience that allows the cabin to be toured digitally. Shavitz's cabin in Durham.  D.L. Anderson After Shavitz — whose visage is stamped on most Burt's Bees products and packaging — died, the brand was looking for ways for consumers to connect with the eccentric founder. "Part of the mystique of this brand is Burt and what he was like — people will ask, 'Is he a real person?'" said Jim Geikie, general manager for Burt's Bees. "He was a pretty complex man who lived a simple life that was closely connected to nature. The cabin he lived in illustrates the choices he made and the principles and values by which he lived his life." Geike noted that he thinks consumers will connect with the brand through the authenticity of Shavitz — there is even Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook. Read More... Fashion 3