Music Needs QR Codes

Music is ripe for an advertising renaissance. QR codes and mobile tagging are poised to take this industry by storm introducing a plethora of new ways to promote music to smartphone mobile devices. Mobile digital downloads, sharing, and music samples can incentivize and augment advertising in newspapers, magazines, fliers, cards and posters like NEVER before. The opportunities to incorporate music downloads and artist info into traditional "brand advertising" are endless in this new mobile universe of "anywhere" web content. QR codes are the PERFECT vehicle because they "prompt" people with their engaging appearance and perceived value. The invention of the internet devastated the music industry over a decade ago, NOW the emergence of the MOBILE internet might be the BEST thing that ever happened to music culture. 

We  are starting to see some mainstream music artists use QR codes in advertising and packaging but this is only the beginning. The future will involve much more "collaboration" between music and traditional adverting and a model will emerge that brings value to everyone (music artists, brands AND mobile consumers). QR codes will be a fundamental new catalyst transmitting music from the physical world to a mobile digital one.

Here are some examples of Taylor Swift and Soulja Boy using QR codes and an awesome VIDEO example below from Japan.

his QR code marketing campaign from Leo Burnett Hong Kong was designed to promote alternative music label Zoo Records in Hong Kong. By carefully placing visuals of an array of animals, comprised of download codes, people could take cell phone pictures of the animals and stream new music to their mobile devices instantly. This campaign resulted in sold out records, immeasurable street cred for Zoo Records, and the widespread dispersal of an underground sound.

QR Codes Are Fast For TAG Heuer in WIRED Magazine

WIRED Magazine readers are probably the best audience for QR codes in these early stages. Check out the picture and video of a TAG Heuer QR Code scan from an ad in the December issue of WIRED Magazine. QR Codes are lightning fast, anyone who disputes this is a "rah-tard" and needs to check the vid below.

Cha-Ching, QR Codes Are Money at Starbucks

It looks like Starbucks is moving forward with the mobile payment pilot program that they rolled out in San Francisco and Seattle to over 300 New York City stores. This will not only help manage the long lines that New Yorkers dread, it will also be another monumental step forward for QR code recognition. I LOVE the idea of people associating QR codes with money!! This spells VALUE. QR codes will be seen as a form of digital currency to Starbucks goers who are newbies to mobile codes, which is freaking fantastic! Once the consumer masses identify QR codes with Cha-CHING, it's GAME OVER. Consumers will forever equate QR codes with value.

Mashable story here

Diddy Talks New Album and QR Codes

My boy Sean Combs (aka Diddy) will apparently be using QR codes to promote his new album coming in December. At about the 1:02 mark of the video he gives the plug. I'm surprised that we haven't seen more out of the music biz when it comes to pioneering mobile QR campaigns. We'll see, maybe Puff Daddy will get it right! Holler at me, Diddy, you need to be using Tappinn.

Fox Network QR Codes. The Mobile Apocalypse Starts Now.

Fox Code. Gotta love it!. FOX Network has announced that they will be running QR codes after commercials to promote their fall lineup. I caught one last night for the new series, Lone Star. This is the 2nd best thing to a Facebook QR code IMO. No doubt that it brings HUGE exposure to QR codes and it's coming from a medium that had been an underdog to this point, TV. The code flashed quickly so I had to rewind my DVR to get the scan. It will be interesting to see how this evolves and if viewers pick up on it.

Calvin Klein Jeans QR Code Billboard in New York City (Pics and Video)

Calvin Klein Jeans have been know for edgy billboards but in a different way. Check out this giant Calvin Klein Jeans QR code billboard on the corner of Layafette and E. Houston in NYC! The code directs users to a sizzling hot 30 second video, Calvin Klein style. This is another big step for QR code exposure and it makes me wonder why more advertisers aren't making the most of their billboards by doing the same. I scanned this code from over 100 yards away.

Microsoft Tag in Details Magazine is Nothing Special

Microsoft Tags are being used on a Kenneth Cole watch ad in Details Magazine this month June/July 2010. We are a QR code blog and haven't spent much time observing MS Tags in action. It's time to find out what they are all about BEYOND the CODE. Watch the video for more.

Tappinn QR Codes. It's ALL About SHARING. {Video}

Me showing off a sick new feature added to the Tappinn platform. Every page can now turn itself into a QR code by touching the Tappinn icon on the share bar. Enjoy

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!

Best Buy Updates App with QR Code Reader!

Best Buy has done it!! They are the FIRST retailer in the world to update their app with a QR code reader!! We have documented their support for QR codes in earlier posts but now they have taken it a BIG step further.

The newest catalog features a QR code on the cover (I was disappointed there weren't more)! What's different about this is the "Download Reader"   instructions direct users the the newest version of Best Buy's app, fresh with a QR code reader. This make me so happy!! {Video Coming}

Facebook next, PLEASE!!!

Droid Does QR Codes in People Magazine

Verizon is running Motorola Droid ads in People Magazine using QR codes. The codes link Android users directly to the marketplace page for the apps, Qik and Slacker Radio. Users who scan the codes that aren't on an Android device get kicked to a mobile page with links to popular Android apps and a Verizon store finder. Below are pictures from the May 3rd issue including a screen shot of the non-Android landing page that I was directed to from an Iphone. 

Make Your Iphone 4g

Came across this and thought I should share. Sprint is toughting that they can make your Iphone 10x's faster.

The Green Cow Uses QR Barcodes and Pay-Per Performance

The Green Cow, eatery and catering company, has decided to use QR Codes to promote their menu and build Facebook friends. The quaint New Jersey establishment bordering the Hudson River serves a variety of cuisine between breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nestled on the corner of Essex and Hudson, across the street from Goldman Sachs. The Green Cow sees a ton of foot traffic which they are hoping QR codes will help convert.

"Almost everyone we see now has a smartphone!" says, Shobaum, Green Cow manager. "Why not give them the opportunity to share our menu on their phone!? Not only that, we have made it easy for those same smartphone users to become a fans of us on Facebook and read our Google reviews!"

Green Cow used the Tappinn platform to create the content or "Smart Site" used for the campaign. They built pages centered around each portion of their menu linking other pages back together. Basically the site functions like an app but works across all mobile platforms so an Iphone user can view the same content as a Nexus One user without having to download separate apps. The platform also generates the QR code that smartphone users can scan to be directed to the content. Even more shocking was what the cost to build the Smart Site. ZERO, NADA. The only charge is when people actually engage with the QR codes, and it's pennies. What a Phenomenal concept! QR code pay-per performance marketing is the future.

Wi-Fi Retailers. Where Are They?

I'm SHOCKED that retailers have not embraced smartphone users and the mobile web by offering shoppers free wi-fi within the store for a faster web experience. I walked into the Gap today in mid-town Manhattan and couldn't get wi-fi to my Iphone. WTF? Are they afraid, or just not concerned with my need to connect? More and more shoppers are using the mobile web to research products WHILE shopping. Why wouldn't retailers look to enhance this experience by offering them a fast way to explore products online while in the store? Every retailer should offer free wi-fi and embrace the mobile web within it's walls. It would give them the opportunity to create custom content that could ONLY be found in that particular store, a unique advantage over E-tailers.

Today marketing is all about delivering the RIGHT content and the RIGHT moment. What better place to offer unique digital content about products then in the actual store. This content needs to be formatted for ALL smartphone browsers and not just be some fancy fluffy iphone app. The content also should be easy to share and offer some sort of value. (mobile coupons, ect) Think about this... a store could makes it easy for smartphone users to Twitter or Facebook products while in your store. The ideas are endless!

There is an enormous opportunity for brick and mortar stores to capitalize on the mobile web and the connected shopper. Engaging consumers while in the store with valuable, sharable content about their products IS the future.
Where do you fit in? Are you giving away wi-fi to your shoppers? Is your content formatted for the mobile apocalypse?

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