[deadcyclo]

Here in Europe I have seen lots of smart use of QR codes in advertising lately:

- Scan the QR code to receive a rebate coupon for the product advertised - Scan the QR code to receive a two for one deal on tickets for what ever event advertised - Places like 7-eleven offering you a free soda with your hot dog if you scan the QR code on the poster in the window before entering - Scan the QR code for an exclusive trailer for the movie advertised - An ice cream company introduced a new ice cream and you could scan the QR code on the advertisement to get a free ice cream - Adverisements for universities where scanning the QR code would let you order their information brochures sent home to you - Scan the QR code to be informed when the advertised service is available in your location

And several other uses I can't remember at the moment.

My point is that it is, like the author of the article indicates, quite possible to make great use of QR codes in advertisements.

Many of the mentioned campaigns I also know worked great. For example during the free ice cream campaign, the local 7-eleven was filled with teenagers with smartphones getting their free ice cream every time I went there.

I've also noticed that most of the campaigns that succeed don't "just slap a QR code in their", they give you information about it: "Scan the QR code to get a free ice cream using your cell phone. If you have an iPhone go to xxx to get a scanner, if you have an Android xxx, if you have a Nokia xxx" or similar solutions. It's kind of a chicken and egg problem. Nobody will use QR codes if they don't know what they are, or how they work. And nobody will known what they are and how they work, unless somebody tells them.