It’s Been a Good Year for the Code
As we’re nearing the end of 2010, it’s time to give the little 2D QR Code a shout out as a breakout interactive tool this year. With a smart camera phone (and an installed reader, like QRReader app for iPhone), the consumer points and scans the QR Code (on anything from an ad to an in-store display to business cards) and then the code takes them to a URL (website, social media channel, video, data capture form, etc.). They’ve been around but brands have been paying more attention as more consumers are buying into the Smartphone. It’s a way to get a little more of consumers’ attention, hence the abbreviation QR for Quick Response. Bonus feature: they’re basically free to generate and totally track-able. Here’s a recap by month of what I found to be brands’ coolest applications of the QR Code. Creatively runs the gamut!
- January: GMC uses QR Codes to promote the Granite
- February: Best Buy uses QR Codes to directly link customers to mobile shopping
- March: Facebook gives 450 million members and brands a QR Code linking to their profile
- April: Iron Man uses a QR Code in movie posters promoting sequel
- May: HBO uses QR Code for trailer promoting True Blood
- June: City Of New York blankets Times Square with huge QR Code
- July: NYC billboard with QR Code promotes Calvin Klein Jeans
- August: JFK Presidential Library and Museum uses a QR Code to promote their Twitter account
- September: Toys“R”Us launches mobile campaign integrating QR Codes on signage and shelf talkers
- October: eBay releases new version of RedLaser iPhone app that includes QR Code with ability to populate product results with eBay Marketplaces and Half.com listings
- November: Mesob Restaurant in Montclair, NJ puts QR Codes on each table and diner is taken to a video on how they make their dishes
- December: Who’s going to end the year with a breakout QR Code idea?