Monthly Archives: May 2011

Everywhere I look I see QR Codes and just like everything else in the advertising world, some are great, some are good and others are just so-so. Here is my list of the best uses of QR Codes (feel free to post your favs):

1. Starbucks and Lady Gaga team up for a Starbucks QR Code scavenger hunt

2. Central Florida Kraze PDL soccer team allows fans to watch video highlights, download their schedule, meet the team and share their experience socially with their Go Mobile Tag QR Code campaign and Mobile Site

3. Sasquatch Music Festival lets fans compete for prizes, connect with other concert goers and share their experience socially with QR Codes

4. TagHeuer leads users to images of its timepieces with their QR Codes

5. Most major airlines now have QR Codes that allow passengers to check in for their flights right from their phones

6. Iron Man 2 is using QR Code technology to give fans a sneak peek of the movie

7. Esquire Magazine used their QR Code for augmented reality where Robert Downey Jr welcomes readers to the magazine

8. Macy’s QR Codes gives users a “Backstage Pass” to behind the scenes videos and other unique content

9. Dick’s Sporting Goods created a mobile site to promote their QR Code campaign which gives users access to special deals and product previews

10. Detroit Red Wings created a QR code for an interactive game program and even created how to videos that play on their jumbotron during games

11. Addidas Japan launched a mobile site and QR Code campaign to show off their FIFA World Cup participation

12. Notify NYC created QR Codes that automates the users phone to call their emergency phone number in a crisis

13. Starbucks QR Codes let customers use their codes as a reloadable gift card for all purchases

14. National Aquarium in Baltimore lets visitors scan a QR code that then transmits a video of their favorite dolphin or fish

15. American Roads is rolling out a QR Code application that lets users pay tolls with their personal code

16. Calvin Klein’s “Get it Uncensored” QR Code campaign shows users an uncensored image of their product ad

17. Soulja Boy added a QR Code to his CD that lets users preview his music and view exclusive content

18. New York Islanders launched a QR Code campaign that gives fans access to special deals on merchandise and tickets

19. Be the One created a social activism QR Code campaign that lets supporters view a video about their cause and sign a petition to help clean up the Gulf Coast oil spill

20. Peter Frampton added a QR Code to his concert marketing materials that allows users to download his concert dates into their phones

21. Twin Cities/Pioneer Press used a QR Code on their website to run a contest for their readers to win a free ipad and other goodies

22. Suntory Beer printed QR Codes on their product and when scanned, users win coupons, merchandise and can offset 100g of CO2 once per day

23. Verizon Superpages is using a QR Code to send users to download their smart phone app

24. Reach Tootbrushes gives users $1 off coupon and previews their new brushes with their QR Code campaign

25. Gap uses QR Codes to let users check into Foursquare, receive discounts on merchandise and get styling ideas

26. Sothesby’s International Realty uses QR codes to give potential home buyers a video tour of individual homes, pricing, showing info and more

27. Go Mobile Tag uses their QR Code in their logo so that when a user scans it they are taken to their mobile site where users can learn more about their services and sign up for a subscription

28. Kelloggs QR Codes let users experience breakfast in another part of the world via video

29. daFlores puts QR Codes in their store window, on advertisements and on all floral and gift baskets so that users can quickly order flowers or gift baskets, send virtual flowers to their Facebook friends and download their mobile app

30. Radisson Hotels is using QR Codes to check guests into the hotel and to share ingredients or wine pairings for their restaurant

31. Whole Foods has QR Codes on many of their products which display ingredients, recipe ideas and history of manufacturer

Who didn’t make the list:

Wondering why some big brands didn’t make the list? Well, its simple there are some campaigns out there that weren’t implemented properly either because their QR Code is unreadable, they are misdirecting their users or just completely lack any type of wow factor.

First, companies should make sure that their QR Code is  large enough and clear enough for people to scan.

Second, avoid sending users to a 50+ page website where information is not easy to find or doesn’t clearly give a call to action. Consider creating a custom mobile site that showcases exactly what you want your users to see and do. Simple is always better when driving users to do something. If you want users to purchase your product make sure it is easy for them to do it.

Lastly, ask yourself how are the users going to engage with it and will they want to share it with others? How does it look on a smart phone? Get creative and give your campaign that wow factor that keeps your users coming back and makes them feel like they got something special.

Go Mobile Tag lets users create and manage QR Code campaigns and they provide mobile site development for companies worldwide.

Written by: Erika Rossi Raia, Right Brain Media