QR Codes in Action

I created a post a couple weeks ago about QR codes and how they can enhance a direct response marketing campaign. You can scan this code to read that post now!

I wanted to share with everyone that I recently received a brochure promoting the new Nissan Juke. This visually appealing booklet, had some great pictures, information, and QR codes to connect with consumers. I have included some pictures of the codes printed in the booklet below.

These two codes on the right lead people to videos and interactive, mobile-friendly websites where more information about the Juke can be found. I have to admit, I scanned these codes and watched a few videos about it's turbo engine, AWD, and navigation system. It was a great way for Nissan to promote individuals to take action on an advertising piece. 

MarketingProfs recently published an article detailing some stats about a recent study done on these codes. below are some of the impressive results.

• 52% of mobile users have seen or heard of QR codes; of those, 28% have scanned one

• iPhone users scan by far the most, at 68% (versus 26% of Android users and 4% of Blackberry users)

• QR-code scanning rose a whopping 1,200% from July to December 2010

• Companies like Starbucks are already using QR codes (as well as barcodes) to enable users to pay for their purchases via mobile. (And here's a fun fact from the chart: 3 million Starbucks customers have already tried it.)

Being proactive with this form of marketing can really pay off, because you can't argue with those results! Have you seen these QR codes recently used for any marketing campaigns?

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Smart Phones Are Now Personal Shopping Devices

Phones are people's lives that hold connections, friends, and family members at the touch of a button (or touchscreen). But when you take another look at it, phones aren't just phones anymore. They are computers, cameras, video recorders, gaming systems, televisions, GPS, and now shopping devices!

Leo Burnett recently determined that 50% of moble phone owners use their devices to shop. The eye-opening statistic is extremely important to businesses all over the world.  Apps, text message campaigns, and mobile friendly websites are a necessity for shopping websites/companies. These utilities are not only able to give customers info about store hours, GPS locators to find nearby stores, promotional coupons, and various product information/specifications, but it will result in more app downloads and more traffic on the mobile website. This will result in increased awareness, customer loyalty, improved customer perception, which will ultimately lead to a boost in sales.

People are on their phones for hours everyday, so you better have a presence there, or your competitors will. The number of cell phone users are twice the amount of internet users! With statistics like that, businesses big and small need to be up to date on their marketing efforts, especially with a focus in utilizing emerging digital techniques, including mobile marketing.

Check out this awesome use of social coupons on mobile devices - via LivingSocial





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QR Codes

Scan code to go to my LinkedIn page

Yes, I'm talking about those weird 2-D barcodes that have a bunch of little squares put together. When you scan these barcodes with a smartphone, you will receive a transfer of information, whether it be a virtual business card, a website, a video, a picture, or any other type of engaging content.

The marketing purpose for QR codes is to involve the consumer to take initiative and scan your code. I know the Android market has multiple free applications that will help you scan the QR codes to obtain content and I'm sure the iPhone does as well. Most of these codes can be found on billboards, business cards, in-store displays, and even t-shirts!

Personally, I have never seen a QR code when I'm out and about, but that doesn't mean people aren't utilizing them. These codes were actually developed in 1994, but have just caught on in recent years due to the creativity and engaging aspects of marketing campaigns. With viral and guerrilla marketing becoming more commonly used practices, consumers might be seeing more and more of theses codes. The creativity with these codes is basically limitless and I personally believe that companies can reach customers and get them involved in their campaigns. Consumers don't want messages and ads shoved down their throat, they want to participate in them. These QR codes are a perfect segue into making that happen, especially if they offer valuable content to the consumer (product/service information, a cool picture or video, promotional coupon, etc.).





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Dress to Impress

"The clothes make the man." If you are not familiar with Illinois State University's dress code for marketing majors, you can get all the information you could ever want here. Long story short, all marketing students at ISU are required to come to class in business casual attire. Some people have mixed feelings about this mandated effort, but personally, I am all for it! I can honestly say that I feel more professional, productive, and well-mannered when I am in the State Farm Hall of Business in my required "neatly pressed shirt and slacks." There is just something about being professionally dressed in an outstanding building that makes me feel good about myself and my major. Everybody on campus knows that if they see a person dressed up in business casual attire, its a marketing student. I love everything about that, because people look at me and recognize me as a professional. Upon graduating and obtaining a full-time job, we will have to dress up and look our best, so why not start early and get used to carrying yourself as a clean-cut professional?

I think that the marketing department made a great choice in enforcing this dress code because it builds and improves the university's image. ISU and the College of Business has made some great strides in the recent past, becoming number 93 out of the top 100 business schools in the country. Overall, I think that the dress code enforced by the marketing department makes the students improve their image, professional demeanor, productivity, and grades. Do you think that more universities will adopt a dress code like this?

More Guerrilla Marketing

Click here to find out about guerrilla marketing and to see even more awesome pictures!



Enjoy these great examples of effective and eye-opening guerrilla marketing efforts that bust through everyday clutter!

Via Creative Guerrilla Marketing dot com

Guerrilla Marketing

Guerrilla marketing can be defined as programs designed to obtain instant results using limited resources by relying on creativity, quality relationships, and the willingness to try new approaches. This amazingly outrageous marketing approach can be extremely effective if used correctly. These guerrilla marketing ideas need to have a high level of innovation and creativity, but then multiply that by 7, then put that result on steroids. This style of marketing involves interacting with consumers and engaging them in a message as opposed to forcing a message on them. By getting customers to react or do something, the marketing effort increases the chance that the message will be retained and reflected upon.

Traditional Marketing Efforts:                                       Guerrilla Marketing Efforts:

- Requires money                                                      - Requires imagination, creativity, and a vision

- Results measured by sales                                      - Results measured by profits and satisfaction

- Uses marketing to increase sales                             - Uses marketing to gain and retain customers

- Aims messages at large groups                                - Aims messages at small groups or individuals

In a very short time, or even now, "traditional" marketing efforts will become more and more like what we know "guerrilla" marketing efforts as. Agencies are becoming more creative and they are able to target specific demographic markets as well as local and hyperlocal geographic areas. Nonetheless, Guerrilla marketing is a very exciting and fun style of marketing and it is turning heads around the world. 

There's no doubt about it, these clutter busters are the way of catching attention. Below I have included some perfect examples of guerrilla marketing courtesy of Creative Guerrilla Marketing dot com! If you like what you see here, please visit their awesome site!

Marketing Gets a Bad Rap

Don't you think? A lot of people out there don't take marketing seriously. Many believe it is full of frills, manipulation, and promises that can't be delivered. If you think these things are true, you are talking or interacting with the wrong people. Marketing is the reason why we know about companies. It's responsible for how we view and perceive businesses. Marketing has the ability to provide an image or face, if you will, for a company. If consumers aren't aware of your company or they have a negative perception of your company, you won't get any business. So smile and appreciate marketing for the art/science it is!