Macy's Amps Up Backstage Pass QR Codes

Macy's has released new mobile content with qr codes. It looks like they are taking "Backstage Pass" to the next level. Macy's is augmenting the retail shopping experience with exclusive and useful mobile web content and QR Codes. Check out the video below and info about Macy's original QR code campaign.

Mobile Tagging Site Features and Examples From Tappinn

Scan To Win a Tissot Swiss Watch in New York City

Tissot Swiss Watches has launched a "Scan To Win" QR code campaign with their retail partner Diamonds and Dials in New York City, powered by TAPPINN. The store is located at the crowded intersection of 34th st. and Broadway in Herald Square across the street from Macy's. The QR code is located on a 3ft X 7Ft sign outside of the store and resolves to a mobile landing page entry form where people can enter their name, email and state to win a Tissot PRS 330. In the history of retail signage, I would argue that there hasn't been a more interactive sign. Tissot isn't new to awesome QR code campaigns. Click here for more.

TIME Magazine QR Codes on Billboards

Pictures of a TIME Magazine QR Code billboard advertisement on 51st and Broadway near Times Square in New York City. These designer QR Codes, created by SET Japan, have been popping up within the pages of TIME magazine for months, linking readers to additional (non-mobile) web content. While I'm definitely a fan of seeing TIME Magazine use QR codes, the same cannot be said about my impression of the overall effort. While these QR codes may look "cool", the content connected to them in underwhelming from a mobile context. Also, most SET codes are NOT friendly to majority of popular QR code readers, most notable, ScanLife. So in essence, you have an enormous billboard in New York City featuring a 'designer QR code' that can't be read by a majority of readers, and links to a generic non-mobile website. Meh.

 

QR Codes Hit Fifth Avenue Luxury in High Fashion (Press Release)

Luxury Manhattan Retailer Michael C. Fina Adopts New Technology and Builds “Mobile Storefront” to Celebrate NYC Women and A. Jaffe Platinum Jewelry


New York, NY; September 14th, 2010 – TAPPINN Inc., A mobile applications platform and QR code creative agency today announced their collaboration with retailer Michael C Fina, PGI-USA, and A. JAFFE to bring QR (“quick response”) mobile codes to Fifth Avenue. The retailer’s five massive storefront windows on 45th Street off NYC’s famed shopping strip are dedicated to the women of New York and the platinum ring designs that symbolize their character. Each window features a different QR code that shoppers can scan with their smartphone cameras to view facts about the platinum jewelry designs being showcased.


After the QR code in scanned, shoppers connect with a Michael C. Fina mobile-optimized site that includes easy contact (email, call) function, videos, product galleries, pricing, mobile wallpapers, information about designers and product pages with social sharing function including the Facebook “like”. There are 27 exquisite A. Jaffe platinum bridal designs being highlighted in the display, each with its own mobile page that shoppers can interact with and share from their phone. Demo of "Mobile Storefront" site below.




Michael C. Fina is located at 545 Fifth Avenue, at 45th Street, and the campaign will run through October 11, 2010.

“At Michael C. Fina, we’ve been committed to providing our customers with exceptional service for 75 years. This means not only working one-on-one with customers here in the store to help them select the perfect ring, plan the perfect proposal, etc. but also educating potential customers by distributing information in their preferred form; online or through a Smartphone. The QR code technology is going to allow us to reach a whole new range of New Yorkers in a way that is both comfortable and convenient for them. Once they see what makes platinum the most desirable metal choice and A.JAFFE so special, we are confident they will want to come in and learn more.” - Jacklynn Manning, Communications & Creative Director

A 2009 consumer study conducted by PGI-USA (Platinum Guild International) illustrated the importance window displays play in capturing the attention of pre-engaged women and men during the crucial engagement ring research period. More than 54 percent of the study’s respondent window shopped stores during their engagement ring shopping period, and they reported they were more likely to enter a store if they liked the products they saw in the window.

“In addition to revealing the importance of retail window displays, our consumer study revealed that pre-engaged women and men expect online educational content from retailers,” stated Michelle Peranteau, Manager of integrated Marketing for PGI-USA. “The Michael C Fina Mobile Storefront marries these two elements to create the ultimate platinum jewelry retail shopping experience. Before even speaking to a sales associate, shoppers will enter Michael C. Fina with in-depth knowledge of both platinum and their favorite A. Jaffe engagement ring.”

Nick Ford, Co-Founder of Tappinn, believes Michael C. Fina’s storefront will revolutionize the way retailers engage consumers, and do it in a nonintrusive way. “QR codes are rapidly becoming the most exciting thing to hit mobile advertising since the ‘app’ because consumers have control” stated Ford. “The demand for mobile smartphones continues to sky rocket and so will the demand for mobile web content. We believe consumers are craving to connect with their favorite products and stores and share those favorites from their mobile phones while shopping. Storefronts can be the ideal communication application of QR codes and retailers should embrace it.”

In addition to debuting the world’s first Mobile Storefront, the window displays will also feature model shots from A. Jaffe’s new branding campaign, which pays tribute to the company’s rich New York heritage. “Just as New York represents success, magic, romance and charisma, so does the confident woman who chooses a platinum A. Jaffe engagement ring from Michael C. Fina to symbolize her marriage,” stated Pooja Johari, Marketing Director for A. Jaffe.

About Tappinn:
Tappinn is a web application used for the building of web sites and pages that are optimized for mobile. These “Smart Sites”, make it easy for brands, retailers and agencies to deliver customized mobile content (pictures, video, text, coupons, product specs, ect.) to unique shopping environments using mobile tagging with QR codes. Page content can be geo-targeted around physical advertising media such as displays, posters, magazine ads, events, business cards, billboards and other forms of signage. The built in QR code management tool in the Tappinn platform also helps the advertiser generate, tag and track all responses to any QR codes used in a campaign. BEYOND the CODE www.tappinn.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/tappinn.

About Platinum Guild International:
Platinum Guild International is dedicated to promoting Platinum and its pure, rare and eternal qualities to the consumer and the jewelry trade. PGI has offices in each of the world's major jewelry markets, providing information, assistance and education on all aspects of platinum jewelry. For more information please visit www.platinumguild.com.

About Michael C. Fina
Michael C. Fina is the perfect place to turn when celebrating all life’s many milestones, big or small. As New York’s premier family owned and operated retail destination, we have been providing customers with quality products and exceptional service for 75 years. The flagship store, located at 545 Fifth Ave. New York, NY, offers a stunning variety of engagement rings, wedding bands, fine jewelry, tableware, estate silver, and bath accessories.

For more information visit our website (www.michaelcfina.com ), friend us on facebook (www.facebook.com/mcfina ), or follow us on twitter (www.twitter.com/MichaelCFina ).

QR Codes In Times Square! NYC Media Eyes Mobile Engagement.

Tomorrow, June 10th from 11-3 pm in Times Square (7th and 43rd NYC media will be sponsoring the Reuters screen to feature QR codes. The plan is to assist New Yorkers with their mobile lives by offering content dowloads relating to the offer. I am so excited to see what they have planned!! I always thought that Tappinn would be the first QR code in Times Square. Maybe it will be the 2nd?
I will be in the house tomorrow and will have a full report with pics. Here is the Facebook promo page 

http://www.facebook.com/NYCMEDIA.QRCODES

First Designer QR Code Makes TV History!!

During ABC's final episode of LOST, you may have caught an ad for the upcoming season of True Blood. This was no ordinary promo. The 30 second spot featured a flash of a custom QR code at the end. Fans can use DVR devices like TIVO to freeze the commercial and scan the code from their television.

I LOVE it. This is TV history!!

Although most probably missed this opportunity because the concept in still unknow, I see an extremely bright future for designer QR codes on TV.

Warbasee Design created the True Blood designer QR code and the mobile user experience. They have a track record for creating cutting edge mobile campaigns with QR codes for Hollywood. most recently the Iron Man 2 promo with QR.

"The goal behind this strategy is to extend the conversation," said Philip Warbasse -CEO Warbasse Design. "If you take a 30 second commercial and add a 2D barcode to it, you are effectively you are effectively extending your time with the audience. For now, it's a clever way to make the commercial last longer, " continues Warbasse, "but, soon QR codes will become the preferred method for television advertisers to deliver extras to interested viewers."

Amen to that, Philip! Here is the clip, oh and by the way, custom QR codes rock!

5 Ways To Win With QR Codes In 2010

Brand advertisers are starting to fall in love with smartphones, no doubt. The mobile device offers a completely new gateway to reach consumers. Currently the word "app" dominates the mobile marketing conversation. Surprisingly, opportunities lie where they were never before imagined. Connected consumers can access information anywhere. Brands can communicate in totally of new ways. It's all happening so fast! Where do we go?

QR codes add the missing link to print advertising, literally. Short for "quick response", they are a link from the physical world to the digital one. They store URL's and when scanned by a smartphone, direct the phone's browser to the link embedded within. Traditional medias can be blended with QR codes to add an entirely new "digital" dimension to them. This gives users a quick way to interact via the mobile web without having to type a URL. The convenience of these codes have yet to reveal themselves to the masses. We still have some work to do. Here are my winning tips for QR code success in 2010.

5 Ways To Win Using QR Codes In Print Advertising

(1) Awesome Content. This is most important. QR codes and mobile web pages should be simple and direct. Let users connect with unique information corresponding with the ad that they can share. (product gallery, specs, videos, news and promotions ect..)

(2) Stay Consistent! The only way you can win with QR codes is to be consistent with your use of them. General awareness and accessibility is still low. Using QR codes whenever possible will only intrigue consumers who are unable to connect. Even if the users aren't there to begin, don't get discouraged. Every day a new smartphone user is born.

(3) Be Social. QR codes and mobile pages should have quick links to social network fan pages. Magazine ads can now aim to accumulate followers on Facebook. Also, the ability for users to easily share on those networks will maximize your ad's viral potential. 

(4) Retail support. Give users the ability to "find a retailer" from a QR code. This is a phenomenal way to bridge the exploration gap between print and store. Also, custom campaigns with exclusives for particular retailers is way to get everybody involved. 

(5) Give Stuff Away. People love freebies and are willing to give up information to win. This has always been a popular way to get people to act on your brand. The same holds true for mobile marketing, the viral component is huge.


It's only a matter of time before the desktop is dead and the mobile device is king. Carriers such as Sprint, AT&T and Verizon are embracing the mobile web! Smartphone commercials are dominating TV right now. The need to be connected at all times is climbing. In the next year we will see a parade of smartphones hitting the market. Combine this with the 4G speed that networks are touting and you have you a tipping point. Good luck!

Weather Channel Using QR Codes

I got a few call about this! The Weather Channel is officially the FIRST mainstream TV channel to use QR codes. Of course Google is behind it. Go figure

2D Barcodes Featured in March Esquire

This Ad was featured in an article today in the NY Times. Although I'm not a fan of Scanbuy or these particular 2D barcodes due to their closed capacity, they managed to get themselves in the new March Esquire. Readers can scan the codes and receive styling advise relating to the products. I'll have to see this first hand before I can fairly critique it. Chances are that the content is just a bunch of overpriced creative fluff that as agency came up with and will provide ZERO value to the consumer.

MY 3 S's of mobile content.

1) Sharable

2)Shopable

3)Simple

Let's hope that Esquires campaign follows these guidelines and pushes the ball in the right direction for future "print to smartphone" projects.