The QRe8 Custom XM Code™ Giveaway

You’re invited to enter the QRe8 Custom XM Code™ Giveaway to help celebrate the launch of our new Website and Twitter Profile!

We’d love to hear what you have to say about our new website… our cutting edge QR code generation and management tools and services—and how you might tactically integrate them into your marketing mix. And with our new Social Media channels, we’re psyched to begin interacting with you—listen to your thoughts, opinions and ideas… after all, you’re about to become our new (and soon to be loyal!) customers.

The QRe8 Custom XM Code™ Giveaway will run for 1 week beginning Wednesday, November 4 at 12:00 pm and end Wednesday, November 11 at 11:59 am. At the end of the week we will randomly draw the names of 3 
lucky participants who will win their very own “branded” XM Code™.

Entry Requirements:

Must be 18 years of age

Must have a Twitter Account

Follow these simple steps to enter:

1. Click here and follow us on Twitter (if you don’t have a twitter account you will need to set one up)

2. Copy and paste the following message into your “What are doing?” twitter box and click update:

RT @QRe8 Click Here For Your Chance To Win 1 of 3 custom designed XM Codes™ http://bit.ly/1kodkq #qrcode

That’s it! QRe8 Custom XM Code™ Giveaway entry will close at 11:59 am on November 11, 2009.
  If you are chosen as one of the lucky winners we will contact you via your Twitter account on Friday, November 13, 2009.

Happy Twittering and thank you!

Sincerely,

The QRe8 Team

QRe8.com will be on Webnation November 4 at 5:15pm

Just a quick note that I will be live on Webnation tomorrow talking about QR Codes and our newly laucnhed QR Code Marketing Company QRe8.com.

Webnation is a Discovery Channel show about all things web (duh…obviously).  They have a talk show portion on CP24 Wednesdays at 5:15pm - please check it out if you can.

To thank you for your support we will be announcing the details of a very cool QRe8.com QR Code Giveaway on the show - so please try to tune in.

If you miss it - you can always watch the repeat show at 12am or check out Webnation on CP24 or on the Discovery Channel for the webcast.

9 Reasons Your Company Should Use QR Codes In Your Marketing Campaigns

QR Codes are beginning to take off in North America. If you are not familiar with QR Codes, or if you need reassurance as to why your company should begin to use them, here is our list of 9 reasons:

1. Easily connect people to your online properties from offline assets

…rather than writing down a website address or tediously typing a lengthy URL into a phone browser, a QR code reader enables consumers to simply point and scan to connect to the information they want.

2. Extend the reach of offline tactics

… QR codes are extraordinarily viral—beyond word-of-mouth buzz, every web link or text message embedded into your code can easily be passed around from person to person, via their mobile or smart phone or PC.

3. Create opportunities to connect with new consumers

…which is especially poignant as the technology catches on across North America where consumers are increasingly ‘scan-obsessed’—going out of their way  to scan all codes they encounter for pure novelty. Not to mention (as Seth Godin points out) “sneezing” the technology to all of their friends, family and colleagues. One of these ‘scanning disciples’ might just be your next customer conversion (that is, if they like your offer).

4. Extend and amplify top-line information of a print asset

…with a scan and click, imagine the possibilities: delve deeper into a the past life of the protagonist of a best-selling novel, or watch a short celebrity chef video demonstrating how to present the fancy dessert you’re about to buy… or even reading (by scanning the hang-tag) what a top fashion critique has to say about the pricey frock that’s about to put you in debt.

5. CONVERT (immediately)

…typical print campaigns are read then either ignored or later acted on. With QR codes, your offline assets and campaigns can instantly direct a passive reader into an online survey, sign-up form, coupon, poll, promotional website, or anywhere else you may want to take them to make the sale.

6. Track and Analyze

…the performance, and potential optimization of your print efforts—if you use an industry leading campaign management system you’ll further be able to analyze your offline campaigns with time and geographical tracking, allowing you to refine tactics.

7. QR codes are ultimate green application

…use print as a meaningful and eye-opening teaser to peak readers’ interests—then let the code direct the user online for the full story. Ergo: REDUCE INK and REDUCE PAPER!

8. The WOW factor of today

…we hear it continuously… “WOW—QR technology is beyond cool, but it’s alos meaningful, it’s info I want, when and how I want it.” Use it, and you unquestionably stand out amid your target: you’re both brand and tech savvy, and you imaginatively grasp your target consumers’ desires… or rather, you know how to blow them away. Even more, if you go the extra step and graphically brand your codes, you’re cool factor will be off the charts.

9. The WOW factor of tomorrow

…goes something like this: “WOW—I can’t believe this brand doesn’t use common QR technology to connect me to the information I need, when and how I want it.” Connect with someone in Japan or Germany and ask them how they perceive brands that have yet to integrate QR codes into their marketing mix.

QR Code Of The Day - The QR Code Belt Buckle

Hold up your jeans and let anybody who gets close enough to you (wink wink) scan you.

Sounds good to me :)

The QR Code Belt Buckle

QR Code Of The Day - The QR Code Scarf

Just in time for the cold weather.

Here is the an amazing application - think of all the other ways QR Codes could be used on on and with textiles.

The QR Code Scarf

QR Code Of The Day - The QR Tombstone?

Ok so this one is a little morbid but it’s actually a great way to celebrate your loved ones if you think about the great content the code could link to.

Behold the QR Code Tombstone

Thoughts?

QR Code Of The Day - Humans Not Permitted!

Very cool promotion for the movie District 9 at a New York Subway Station

http://bit.ly/3bsTZT

Love the tape

QR Code of the day

As we have seen over the past few months - QR Codes are certainly making their way to the North American market.  They have appeared in major advertisements, art galleries, business cards and even on Jumbotrons during football games.

As QR Code marketers it is our duty to continuously educate the public about the amazing uses and potential benefits QR Codes have if executed properly.

To help, Erik’s Brain will showcase a great QR Code or QR Code story each day (we hope). The codes and stories we will share will highlight creativity, impact, usage, branding and design.

So to start - let’s go back to the country that invented the technology…Japan

In Japan, QR Codes can be a real beach!

http://bit.ly/3enwNM

QR Code Design: Embedded Logo’s

Based on the tremendous response I received from my post yesterday about QR Codes and design we continued to play around today.

As we mentioned in our post yesterday the BBC incorporated their logo into a QR Code last year.

We here at QRe8 have tried to duplicate those efforts.  Please let us know what you think.

First - please tell us if you can get both QR Codes to work.  I could with Quickmark.

Second - please tell us which one you think looks more aesthetically pleasing.

The Original BBC QR CODE

The QRe8 BBC QR CODE

Thank You!

QR Code design: to be, or not to be?

I hardly need to point out that many things are beautiful in their pure, naked form. But what about QR codes? Well, that’s in the eye of the beholder. Still, we’re definitely witnessing a QR graphic design renaissance where the code itself has become a canvas. Take Morikami’s earlier oeuvre for Louis Vuitton and the recent release of the QR Code by Japan Set for  DigitalMum.   Both meaningfully weave graphic elements and color. Even the BBC QR Code transcends the mundane (albeit more industrially). We all interact daily with the power of graphic design and witness how it amplifies branding across all touch-points. So why not QR Codes?

I was tinkering with our studio today incorporating a couple images into a couple Codes today. These are two – CNN Mobile & a plug of my personal Twitter profile @erikg1

I use the QuickMark reader for iPhone and the codes seem to work fine for me. I’d love to know if they worked for you so please let me know.

For sure, unadorned QR Codes are visually engaging… for the present, that is. But I believe that once QR really hits mainstream North American markets, design will become a critically important differentiator. And as this specific design technology becomes more readily available (enabling marketers to at least include a company logo or wordmark) and therefore a bigger benefit to brands, the residual effect will unquestionably drive larger acceptance of QR technology as a whole.

So what are your thoughts on QR Code design?