Open The Dialogue

Although they have existed for quite some time, QR codes are really beginning to take off.  They are more apparent now than ever appearing on a variety of everyday items. The QR or “Quick Response” code allows a person to scan in order to learn more about a company, person or product.  Rather than having tons of small text, if someone is interested in learning more, they can just scan and read on!

My first interaction with the strange-looking square was while flying on a family vacation.  My father handed the man his smartphone instead of passing off five different papers to the gate attendant.  The initial thought that went through my mind was “wow, I can’t believe there is such a thing! This is definitely a way of showing how our world is becoming more environmentally aware.”   About a year or so later, I realize it was much more than that.

A few months ago, a billboard was put on display in New York with a giant QR code that really turned heads.  On the bottom corner of the billboard, the Calvin Klein Jeans logo was apparent.  Most people would assume that the code would bring them to the website in order to purchase jeans.   Instead, a very sexual video appears with models who are wearing jeans.  This billboard has created quite the debate.  If the passerby wanted to learn more or find out what it was all about, they had the opportunity to do so.

Some companies are using QR’s to help simplify tasks.  Ikea has pitched that they may have a video with QR codes to go along in order to put together furniture.  Reading a manual is time consuming and often confusing, but instead, people can scan in order to move ahead in the video or maybe even scan the actual product itself.

The corporate world has also begun to use QR codes.  At meetings or conferences, one often obtains a handful of business cards and later, enters in all of the information.  Recently, we’ve seen people putting QR codes on their business cards so that others can scan the contact information right into his or her smartphone.  It can even incorporate links to social media sites.

Appearing on soda bottles, airplane tickets, billboards and business cards, QR codes have been effectively put to use.  I’m interested to see what other ways they will be used.  I would like to see a QR contest held sometime in the near future.

When have you used QR codes before?

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Old Spice Man: Smells Like a Viral Win

The online world has been abuzz this week with the release of videos by The OldSpice Man. This viral sensation started out as video advertisement released via YouTube – something that is fairly common nowadays – but the brand kicked it up a notched by not only creating a fantastically interactive Twitter account, but also creating personalized videos for Tweeting celebrities and common folk alike.

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Advertising That’s QR Code Friendly

Calvin Klein has introduced a new billboard to the Houston Street area containing a large QR code that encourages passerbys to “get uncensored” and scan the code for a video. There are mixed feelings on the billboard – QR code usage is relatively low so the effectiveness of the ad is in question, however, there is no doubt that this may be the beginning of a trend in advertising.

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The Social Network Has Arrived

The first trailer for The Social Network – a movie about the rise and early days of Facebook – has been released.  The trailers gives just enough to entice the audience without being a full-on preview. The social media space is waiting for the premiere with high anticipation.

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Hearst and Zinio Push the iPad

Hearst, a competitor of COnde Nast, has teamed with Zinio – an app newsstand proprietor – to release digital versions of several of their publications includiung Seventeen, Esquire, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar. Hearst also plans to leverage Oprah’s magazine and status to increase app usage by allowing readers of Oprah’s powerful book club to read the club’s selections on the iPad.

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A Truce Between Google and China?

China has renewed Google’s ICP license. This is the rights that are needed to host a site on it’s own domain. After a struggle, the government and Google were able to come to an agreement. it’s still  unclear whether Google will be responsible for full hosting or if they will be redirecting some of the hosting duties to the Hong Kong servers.

Conde Nast Traveller Joins the iPhone App Movement

Conde Nast seems to be adapting to the use of digital media with several of their publications. Wired has been released on the iPad and different fashion-related iPhone applications have been put out by Vogue. Most recently Conde Nast Traveller has released an application that provides “City Guides” for four cities: Barcelona, New York, Paris and Rome. Each city is a separate application and they cost $9.99 each.

Ford Works with RIM to Curb Texting-While-Driving Violations

Ford Motor Company is preparing updates to its SYNC Technology that will include audible text messaging. RIM will be implementing their MAP (Message Access Profile) on new BlackBerry devices. This means the first users of this technology will be BlackBerry users.

LeBron James Gains over 100K Followers in 7 Hours

The basketball superstar has been in the news often these past few weeks as speculation as to his next move flew. He ultimately decided to go to the Miami Heat but during the flurry of coverage, the NBA star joined Twitter as @KingJames and gained over 150,000 followers in less than 8 hours.

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Just a few weeks ago, we came across this idea of “writing your own headline” from Nike.  People tweet a headline using hash tags and 100 per night are broadcasted in Johannesburg.  Now, back in the United States, we are seeing the concept of broadcasting tweets being brought to the next level.  Times Square has made a big new friend who loves to play around with the public.

In honor of the launch of its Times Square store, Forever21 has created an interactive board using high-tech surveillance equipment and computer vision technology as a virtual model plays with the crowd below.  The model can pick up onlookers and either kiss them, turn them into a frog, put them in her shopping bag or take a picture of the entire crowd.  Using the high-tech equipment, the models are able to spot those people in the crowd carrying a yellow Forever21 bag and are more likely to pick those people up.

Along with the on-screen virtual model, there are also tweets broadcasted the way that Nike is doing in Johannesburg.  Tweets including #love and #forever21 are placed on the large screen for all of Times Square to read.  In 2009, “The Hand From Above” was a giant hand on a screen created to interact with the crowd.  This tactic builds awareness and encourages interaction and participation.  The Forever21 Billboard takes virtual crowds and physical crowds and interacts on both ends.  It’s amazing to see how social media has become more mainstream than ever. The billboard is a clever advertisement and offers a new experience every visit!

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Rough Week for Apple

After reports of the iPhone 4 having service problems with they’re held a certain way, disgruntled users have filed a lawsuit against both Apple and AT&T accusing Apple of Defect in Design, Manufacture and Assembly – among other claims. There is also purportedly another similar class-action law suit in the works. Apple has since admitted that there are reception issues and promises to fix the glitch.

Google versus Facebook

After facing numerous privacy issues over the past couples months, Facebook may have reason to be worried about the search engine giant is working on creating a social network. This digital Clash of the Titans should be interesting to watch as many of Google’s early social networking attempts have fallen short of successful.

Location-Based Celebrity-Sightings

Location-Based Services (LBS) has made another strive in proving its usefulness with a new application from OK! Magazine called the OK Celeb Spotter where users can report celeb-sightings in real-time.

Facebook Introduces Face Detection Technology

Facebook who acquired Divvyshot, a photo sharing site, back in April, has implemented face detection technology that will find and select faces in photos and automatically tag them. This will streamline the photo tagging process which many consider the most tedious portion of photo-sharing on Facebook.

The Blog About Twitter

As if social media wasn’t intertwined enough, The Big Money has announced the launch of a blog about all-things Twitter-related. Now you can Tweet about blogging and blog about Tweeting.

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