QR Codes are not a new phenomenon.
QR codes are those square matrix bar codes that appear to be a bunch of random squares which, when scanned by a mobile device, allow users to download content, read messages or visit mobile sites. Try scanning this one on the right.
They have been around since 1994, and were devised as a Quick Response (hence the QR in QR codes) method initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing. Since then, the humble QR code has moved on to become an increasingly used feature in commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users, otherwise known as social scanning and mobile tagging.
In Japan, QR codes are used for everything from giving away free bottles of tea to providing nutritional information of McDonald’s hamburgers. In fact, earlier this year, as part of Internet Week 2010, the city of New York covered Times Square with gigantic QR codes which, when scanned, drove traffic to several websites and offered free ringtones and chances to win free tickets to the Tony Awards.
iPhone apps such as SCVNGR (also available on Android and with partial support on other mobile phones via SMS) utilise QR codes as a part of their geolocation checkin services. Even the venerable Google has taken to using QR codes to enable people to instantly learn more about a business, by visiting a mobile version of the business’ Place Page whenever they scan said QR Codes.
That’s not all. There’s actually a blog out there that’s written entirely in QR codes. Now, that is awesome. Catch this video report by CBS and CNET’s Natali Del Conte showing how QR codes may change the future of advertising.
With many bigger companies now realising the potential of social scanning, the QR code is well on its way to becoming a widely used feature for social marketing.
Do you know of any other cool QR code marketing efforts out there? Share them with us!
I wonder if there is any concern on viruses being written in QR codes and when scanned it infects your mobile phone?
Good question. It's possible i guess. but normally users would scan QR codes from retailers which probably have no virus.
Look this one from Space invaders, a french streetartist : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koovHRADjxI
Willis,
QR codes dont work like that, so the answer is no.
You can however put a virus onto a mobile website that corrupts a handset but just like you entering a url into the mobile browser it could get infected so Monika the answer is….it's irrelevant.
I've got about 20 QR marketing examples on my blog, there is a link to it from http://www.Cognation.net/QR
what i meant was the codes are vetted by retailers. Same for the sites linked to the codes too. Unless someone hacked the website.
again i dont think you understand how codes work.
you dont know what they are going to lead to (you also dont know pre-capture if it is a url call, text, sms, vcal qr code etc).
Nice. i understand the big picture. not in details definitely. Similar to how I know how a car works but i'm not too sure about the exact and technical details.
So what's your point dean?
thanks for the share! pretty cool
Nice post.
I liked your QR code. No worries, you're already bookmarked
Hey @NatalieTweetie! Thanks for bookmarking @PennOlson and kudos to Cameron for the awesome post. You can find him on Twitter, @TheFloppyDisk
We use QR codes to link end-consumers to their coffee farmer: http://www.traceablecoffee.org
Love the article and the emphasis. One thing we have to remember as we play with our shiny new QR toy (and let me be clear; I love the technology, love the power of directed marketing QR gives me, and this is NOT a slam for you in any way, just a reminder for us all… whew! now then – ) we must be aware of the content we are driving our customers to. I am running a Dash 3G on TMobile, with 4 full bars of service and 3G connection, nothing else running, and it took fully 90 seconds to open the site from the QR code in the article on IE -certainly not the fastest equipment config out there, but not the slowest either.
Again – not a slam on the author or anyone else; I get fully that the QR was used as an example.
However, as marketers we need to recognize where we are sending people and make sure those sites are mobile-optimized or we piss off the very people we are trying to reach.
I would guess it would have opened faster on Skyfire but since they went full-on with 2.0 I can't get my 1.5 on WM to connect, which makes me a sad panda.
SO – spread the QR love, use them, teach the gospel of QR to anyone who asks, or even if they don't. But make sure you keep it user friendly! Optimize your sites, lead them down the path of Good QR and don't turn your powers to evil. [/end silliness]
Thanks again for the article, keep up the good work!
What a timely article. Porter Novelli officially launched its new brand today and on all of our business cards we have a QR code that can be scanned and the website takes viewers to Porter Novelli's core principles!
The new Meet•Meme Social Network cards include a QR code that directs the user to a digital version of the card, and a means to connect in the social space. It's been a big part of the success of the cards! Check them out… http://www.meet-meme.com
MyBikeNumber.com generate QR Code Sticker Templates of Bicycle Profiles to check if a bike was stolen…
Great article Cameron!!
I teach a course for real estate agents in Texas and have a QR code on my name badge. I get more strange looks than one can imagine BUT it sure does open up a conversation. Especially helpful for anyone in sales.
My website TexasWildlifeGuy.com has a QR code on every page.
Keep the posts coming Cameron!
qr-stories.com combines QR Code with facebook checkin …
We have just launched our new product, London Lager, via Social Media. We are taking the product out to the capital's streets by driving an iconic London Taxi which is pulling a caravan full of beer. Both vehicles are fully liveried. We hand out free bottles of the new beer at 'taste sessions' on the streets and encourage the public while having a street tasting to jump in the back of our taxi and have a 'tour postcard' taken, these are available to download the next day on our Facebook site. We are encouraging the public to literally decide where the tour goes within London by uploading videos on our 'Tour to Your Door' page and telling us on Twitter where to visit. The artwork on both the Taxi and Caravan incorporate a QR code which links straight to our Facebook site and on all our offline material we also use the QR. It is very functional and when out on the street is proving very popular with the London public, we have had many people snapping the code on the vehicles and immediately 'Liking' us on Facebook. I can highly recommend integrating a QR code into a social media campaign. Visit us at http://www.facebook.com/londonlager
Jumpscan.com offers personal QR codes that link to all your digital info… i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, etc.
Maybe because he has some insights from 2008 to share… http://www.cognation.net/Press/pressimages/DigitalMediaNet-QRCodes.jpg
I the latest version of Safari Apple has added extensions. On of which is “Tab Transmit” from
TickleSpace. When installed a icon resides on the menu bar making it very easy to generate
a QR code.
Hi!
I highly recommend this site for your http://www.uqr.me especially if you are in real estate!
In the early days of the 2D barcode I am told the horse track sent “prize” tickets out that you brought to the track and got either a ticket discount or could be worth a bunch of money. That ticket had a 2D code on it that was tied to your address and your demographic. You turned it in and they scanned it and knew more about what kind of people to advertise to. Attendance increased when they used that feedback.
Nice article, I recently launched http://www.socialqrcode.com. It is a QR Code generator designed for business to promote their Facebook/Twitter properties with QR Codes. Turn foot traffic into web traffic for your fan page and twitter profile!
Please, give it a try!
Mother Earth Brewing out of Kinston, NC recently started putting QR codes on their six-packs. Each QR code is specific to that beer, and brings those who scan it to a mobile page featuring food and glassware recommendations and other details about the beer.
http://www.charlottebeer.com/2011/02/09/mother-earth-brewing-embraces-cutting-edge-mobile-technology/
Cameron, thanks for the article. I thought the video was a fantastic tool in this case. I will keep my eyes open from now on.
Cameron, thanks for the article. I thought the video was a perfect tool in this case. I will keep my eyes open from now on.
Check out these two articles regarding QR codes:
http://bit.ly/gxVr7g
http://davisad.blogspot.com/2011/03/newest-audio-advertising-technology.html
lol nice. I agree with Willis, that the potential is definitely there to just link the QR code to a malicious website, but most of the people using QR codes today are retailers. I don’t think I would just scan a QR code lying on a sidewalk; it could lead to anything.
Great post Cameron : ) .
I like the “cheeky” use of QR Codes by Victoria’s Secret here: http://www.squarecode.biz/2011/11/top-business-examples-of-using-qr-codes