QR Codes Uncensored

QR code to www.srg.com

It’s hard to believe that Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes, have been around since 1994. Developed by Toyota subsidy Denso-Wave Corp. these two-dimensional barcodes act as a physical world hyperlink. Smartphone users scan the barcode with a QR code reader app (various available in both the Android and iPhone app market) and the QR code serves the user relevant content. With smartphone market penetration reaching 50% in 2011 this trend is not likely to go away anytime soon. Marketers have begun integrating the technology into advertisements in magazines, newspapers, billboards, and even in-store. Anyone can create these barcodes for free by visiting one of several QR code generating websites. While the technology is relatively new to the mainstream United States, QR codes have already become commonplace in Japan and South Korea. With all new technologies it is likely that within the next year QR codes will be found just about everywhere, but eventually usage will taper off to only the most appropriate and useful applications.

QR code best practices:

• Be sure to link to a mobile landing page
• Provide relevant, valuable content
• Some mediums work better than others

Current QR code uses:

• Tombstones
• Resumes
• Billboard Advertisements
• Menus
• Museums

2011: The Future of Online Video

In 2010 the online video craze took off with the year’s highlights ranging from the notable Old Spice viral campaign to Tuft University encouraging students to submit video applications via YouTube. Online video is fundamentally changing the way we communicate with one another and the way advertisers communicate with their consumers. In 2011 we can expect the landscape to continue to transform with the increase in mobile video advertising and as brands target niche audiences with their own sought-after content. In the New Year advertisers “branded entertainment” videos must encourage engagement and laughter will continue to be the common theme throughout. Also, 2011 is the year to drop the “online” from “online videos” because “television and the Internet are on a collision course. With the rise of GoogleTV or Apple TV, we're beginning to glimpse a future when online content can be accessed through the television.” What’s next? Video resumes?

The Green Revolution in Product Packaging

Product packaging, along with all other aspects of the business world, has gone green. Organizations have found an opportunity to add value to their brands through sustainable packaging and can capitalize on the consumer goodwill which cultivates through such initiatives. Analysis allows companies to find opportunities for efficiencies and therefore reduce the overall long-term footprint of their product packaging. Emerging trends in from 2010 and into 2011 include:

• Design analysis –with the goal to reduce waste and utilize fewer, more sustainable materials

• Supply chain analysis – sourcing to local producers to reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions

• Active and Intelligent Packaging – allows for monitoring shelf life and reducing costs of product loss

The sustainable packaging industry currently generates nearly one hundred billion dollars in global revenue each year with biodegradable packaging as the fastest growing segment of the market.

Architectural Video Mapping, the New Frontier?

Architectural video mapping (AVM), also known as digital projection mapping, which turns the sides of buildings into canvases for art, is fast becoming more and more commonplace. By projecting images into the façade of buildings artists are capable of producing some pretty amazing video-based creative pieces. The technique hopes to be a new frontier for advertisers in the future. AVM is currently being used by a variety of different companies in a wide range of sectors and has evolved to fit smaller objects including the New Balance shoe and the Toyota Auris as well. Polo Ralph Lauren recently used the technology in an event the founder’s son David Lauren calls “merchan-tainment” describing the technique’s ability to blur the line between commerce and entertainment.

Using Augmented Reality to Sell Goods

Shoppers in New York and LA had a unique opportunity to purchase a limited edition release of the redesigned classic Airwalk, JIM. Partnering with GoldRun, Airwalk placed virtual replicas of the shoe within pre-designated areas of NYC and Venice Beach. "To be able to buy one of 300 limited-edition pairs...shoppers had to locate an image of the shoe via augmented reality". Upon finding the virtual good shoppers could use it to purchase the actual product - the pop-up store made invisible. GoldRun, an augmented reality iPhone app, allows users to collect virtual goods much like a scavenger hunt. GoldRun expressed that their "ability to subtly deliver brand messaging through compelling game-like experiences that also provide immediate and relevant user rewards" make it a good partner to all sorts of companies who would like to play in this space. Their recent H&M program is another great example of similar work.

Kik It Up A Notch

Kik, a new entrant into the smart phone app market, has seen impressive growth so far. The company went from zero to one million downloads in fifteen days. For now, the app touts "Free real-time texting...By making Kik Messenger insanely fast, and by showing when a message has been sent, delivered, and read, texting with Kik feels like a face-to-face conversation." Created by Ted Livingston, Kik hopes to build its community and then given its capabilities eventually to roll out additional features. "Basically, Kik’s technology [will] let you wirelessly 'sling' any content on your phone to any device...I can go to my friend’s home and stream an HD movie from my phone onto his TV." While the app currently does not offer any of these features the advanced streaming technology could allow this application in the future. For now, Kik is very excited about the growth and is navigating legal red tape before releasing any music/video sharing technology.

Sears Ad Your Way

Check out this interesting new take on digital from Sears posted on BrandFlakesForBreakfast:

"Sears just launched Ad Your Way, a new suite of tools on their site that let you receive more targeted offers, and follow products. Why would you care to follow a product? Because doing so lets you get alerts when there's a price drop. You can even enter a desired purchase price, and they'll ping you when the product has dropped to your action point. Looks like Sears is not only getting a refresh to their digital promotion, but they're looking at digital in every way, and asking 'how can we improve the customer experience?' Cool. "

Virtuality Sold In Actuality

Facebook credits, currently sold at Target will now be offered at Walmart and Best Buy as well. Think about that for a second, intangible virtual products sold tangibly; non-physical goods sold physically. Who would have thought? As the holiday season rolls around keep these gift cards in mind as they may just be the perfect holiday gift for any FarmVille/Mafia Wars/Texas Hold'em junky.

The New Market Research

HowMutch.com's tag line "Everyone Has a Price" says it all. The site questions users about how much they are willing to pay for various products, services, and scenarios and then provides follow-up information in terms of median price, percentage of users who answered higher, and percentage of users who answered lower. The interactive website could be a good tool in the future for companies to determine how much consumers are willing to fork over for new product lines, services, or offerings.

Bing to Display Friends' Opinions and Preferences

The “Instant Personalization” system incorporates public information (likes, links, etc.) posted by your friends into your Bing search results. These "social results" are a result of the deepened relationship between Microsoft and Facebook. Very interesting… Making search social.

It's an App Revolution

It's small here, but check out another interesting infographic this time about app use.

Map of Social Networks

This "for fun" infographic map depicts the lay of the land as far as the size (in number of users) of various social network sites. Very interesting. But remember, this is from September 3rd, I can image the terrain has changed a bit since then. Enjoy!

TV Goes Social

Just like every other aspect of our lives our TV’s are officially going “social”. With the development of Apple TV in 2006, GoogleTV introduced this year, and Samsung’s new dedication to letting developers create apps for their televisions, now is a good time to consider the vastness of this opportunity. Apps such as Twitter, YouTube, eBay, AccuWeather, and Pandora are already involved. Imagine having the ability to watch your favorite show on half the screen while simultaneously reading what everyone else is saying on Twitter, checking the local weather, and buying those cute shoes you just saw an advertisement for, it’s simply incredible. The TV presents new challenges and benefits for developers including the large screen size, the social setting in which we often enjoy TV, the opportunity for sound as a welcomed addition, and more. The internet is releasing televisions from its bondage as a device that pushes information at us to a connected, integrated, all-way communication portal; televisions and our current code of behavior for watching them is undergoing a serious revolution, are you ready?

Making a Mesh of the Market

Meshing is an emerging breed of business which champions the notion that ownership is not always required to receive the full benefit of use of many of the products that we encounter throughout our lives, therefore the group can benefit through sharing. Yes, that's right, kumbaya everybody, sharing. The Mesh: Why the Future of Business is Sharing, authored by self-proclaimed "marketect" Lisa Ganksky, describes that "Mesh businesses leverage data and social networks to enable people to share goods and services efficiently and conveniently-to gain superior access to what they need without the burdens or expense of ownership." Some examples of successful mesh businesses include Hilton, Netflix, Zipcar, and thousands of others such as exboyfriend.com (it’s called ex-boyfriend but all ex jewelry is welcome). This business model is eco-friendly, technologically driven, and expanding rapidly.

AdMob

In case you missed it... a rep from Google's AdMob was here in the office Friday morning and gave a very interesting presentation on what's happening in the mobile advertising space. This two minute video (below) offers a great overview. Click here to download and view the entire presentation.

The full presentation includes stats on the current mobile internet landscape and several creative examples of what types of advertising units, user experiences and interactions are currently available.

Location Based Social Networks... what's the deal?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz lately about Location Based Social Networks (LBSNs) such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite and Loopt. With a growing user-base (Foursquare just passed the 2 million mark) we all want to know who’s using these services, how often they’re using them, what they’re using them for, how our clients can get involved, and if they should. Large chains such as Starbucks and Chili’s restaurant have already partnered with LBSNs to test promotions… so far, with mixed results. Check out this article from AdAge about some of the challenges and pitfalls these early adopters have faced.

A recent report by Forrester provides a little perspective on the subject of LBSNs, finding that less than 5% of U.S. online users have ever used a location-based application on a mobile device. Interesting to note that these users are typically young (~70% between the ages of 19 and 35), male (~80%), well-educated, and influential. Read more on Forrester’s own blog and on gigaom.com

Infographic: The Road to Wellness

Interesting take on the "Road to Wellness" by Hartman Group. Displayed on a LIFE-like board game are various dieting fads, advertising milestones, and other health and wellness trends from the last 200 years. Definitely worth checking out!

http://www.hartman-group.com/hartbeat/infographic-the-road-to-wellness