QRickit Cupcake

New York Magazine together with Crumbs Bake Shop launched a campaign where consumers get a free cupcake when they scan the magazine ad's QR Code and sign up for the New York Deals program, which is a list of deals and offers emailed daily.

This is the first time for New York Magazine to use QR codes for marketing. The goal is to promote the magazine’s New York Deals program and get people to sign up with the offer of a free delicious cupcake from Crumbs Bake Shop.

“For the New York Deals promotion with Crumbs we wanted to make sure we leveraged the print magazine as well as our digital properties,” said a project manager of business development at New York Magazine.

“The QR code allowed us to set up one-step shortcut right to the deal page where you can get your cupcake voucher. The thinking here was to encourage conversions by making the process as smooth as possible.”

KFC offers Buckets of QRickits

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) recently introduced Li'l Bucket Kids Meals. The outside of the small bucket is designed with fun stuff such as puzzles, riddles, pictures and a QR code.

“Including the QR code on Li’l Bucket Meals makes it easy for moms to access complete information on the product,” said a senior manager of public relations at KFC Corp., Louisville, KY.

“The QR code links to a mobile page that includes product information – including the food options available in Li’l Bucket Meals – complete nutrition information, and a link to enter to win KFC’s ‘Ultimate Playground Experience Sweepstakes,’”

“Nine out of 10 KFC customers have mobile phones, so this is a convenient way to put all our Kids Meal information at mom’s fingertips.”

Now many restaurants and consumer packaged goods companies are taking advantage of QR codes that link to more detailed product and nutritional information, hence freeing up valuable packaging space while also taking advantage of the growing smartphone adoption rate.

“Since last summer virtually all of our packaging, including buckets and boxes, has included QR codes,”

“We are always striving to find the best, most relevant ways to connect with our customers and the QR code on our Li’l Bucket Meals is a great way to connect with moms,”

“As consumers continue to get more comfortable interacting with brands through mobile devices, our use of QR codes will continue to grow.”

Krispy Creme QRickit

This Valentine's Day time, doughnut chain, Krispy Creme, is offering heart-shaped doughnuts. On the box there is a QR Code which when scanned lets the user send a Valentine eCard to someone.

This is the second time Krispy Kreme has used QR codes. It has also used them for in-store promotions such as Dozen Days of Doughnuts, Krispy Skremes and the launch of the Hot Light app.

According to a Krispy Creme spokesperson:

“The QR code is an extension of the cards that are provided in our Valentines Boxes and a way to extend those cards to a larger audience.”

“This enables our fans share the joy digitally.”

“You receive more scans when the QR codes are integrated into multiple printed pieces and placed where consumers can see them in your shop and at their eye-level.”

“If the QR codes are incorporated into a campaign over at least two weeks you will have measurable results.”

Organize your life with QRickit

Office Depot is kicking off 2013 with a QR Code campaign to help people organize and declutter.

The "Organize Me 2013" campaign offers an interactive experience that not only helps customers find the products they need, but also find inspiration from new organizing techniques that can be simply incorporated into their everyday lives.

At Office Depot stores, customers can scan QR Codes on certain products marked “Organize Me 2013 Expert Pick” to view helpful videos and other content.

Home/office organization expert Holly Bohn-Weiss, along with tech guru and author of “Gadget Nation”, Steve Greenberg, share their unique tips, product suggestions and informative videos, as well as host a contest to search for the next great organizer.

QRickit helps boost mobile payments

More and more consumers are paying for things using mobile devices. This past Cyber Monday, PayPal tripled its volume of mobile payments while eBay nearly doubled its volume of mobile payments compared with last year.

QRickits are often used in facilitating mobile payments. See how Kuapay POS and mobile payment system uses QR Codes.

Walmart Virtual Toy Store

Walmart has opened a virtual QR Code toy store in an underground walkway in Toronto, Canada. It uses the walls located in the 17-mile PATH underground walkway in Toronto which links thousands of commuters each day to public transportation, office buildings, hotels, and stores.

QR Codes are shown with popular Mattel toys on a giant 3D poster. Commuters can use their smartphones to scan the QR Codes and purchase holiday gifts from Walmart with free shipping.

There are more examples of virtual QR Code stores.

Click here to see post and video of a virtual QR Code grocery store in a Korean subway station.
Click here to see post about virtual QR Code grocery store in a Chicago subway tunnel.

How about a virtual pizza shop or Chinese restaurant on a bus stop shelter? Have it delivered hot right when you get home!

If you open or see a virtual QR Code store, let me know about it here or at QRickit.com.

Denny's + QRickit = The Hobbit

Family restaurant chain Denny's is using QR codes to deliver content for the upcoming movie "The Hobbit" as part of a promotion campaign with Warner Bros. Pictures.

On Denny's placemats there are QR Codes beside Hobbit-themed menu items.

The QR codes link to an exclusive video, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", a behind-the-scenes look at a new national TV ad, and online games.

"Our Hobbit campaign and accompanying QR codes allow us to give access to a much more robust array of content and really give our guests a new layer of the brand experience. QR codes are especially relevant in interacting with the next generation of Denny's guests, specifically the younger demographic where social media and the mobile experience is an important part of their everyday lives." said John Dillon, VP of Marketing at Denny's.

Denny's customers who purchase select Hobbit-inspired entrees will also receive a card pack including exclusive collectible trading cards designed around the film and Denny's coupons.

"QR codes are highly transactional and we saw an opportunity to use them in a very meaningful way to further connect and extend the guest experience with this new partnership...With our Hobbit campaign, we want guests to 'continue the journey' at Denny's." said Mr. Dillon.

Targeting QRickit

This October, at retail giant, Target, customers can scan the QR Codes displayed in-store and on the packaging of this year's 20 most popular toys to buy them directly via their smartphones (and have them shipped too if needed). This is most convenient for consumers when the popular toy item runs out of stock or if the customer is too busy or doesn't want to battle the long line ups at the checkout counter.

A senior manager of digital experience at Target says:
"...our guests are time-strapped and more connected than ever."
"One in five are using QR codes today and that number is growing rapidly."
"They [QR Codes] provide guests with flexibility and expand their shopping experience."

Vice President of Toys, Target, says:
 "Our in-store QR codes for this year's top toys will add real convenience for busy moms. Now, rather than hoping the kids won't notice when a gift is slipped into the cart, guests can scan the QR codes to buy top toys and have them shipped anywhere for free."

Virtual QRickit Store

Following the use of QRickits and wall-to-wall posters in subway statioins in Japan and Korea (see this Youtube video), US online grocery store, Peapod, has created a virtual store in the subway tunnels of Chicago

Busy commuters can now scan QRickits at subway stations to order groceries that will be delivered to their homes.

QRickit is helping create virtual storefronts for pizza and other restaurants and shops that offer delivery or pickup.

Ask QRickit if you are interested in expanding your business using this method.

FYI: In Tokyo, Japan more than 3.6 million people use the Shinjuku subway station each day!

Express QRickit

Fashion retailer, Express, is using QRickits on in-store posters and window decals to encourage shoppers to join its loyalty program.

When scanned, shoppers are directed to the Express mobile site where they can sign up for the program or to gain extra reward points. Employees are trained to help shoppers scan the QRickit with their smartphones.

Oftentimes, shoppers leave the store and forget to sign up for the program later, but by encouraging shoppers to sign up while at the store using their smartphones will help prevent such cases.

Last year Express also used QRickits in its fall catalog to promote online and offline sales of its new product lines.

1 in 5 Americans buy after scanning a QR Code

Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies  surveyed 1200 American consumers about QR Codes. This is what they found:

• About 1 in 5 who scanned a QR code made a purchase after scanning
• 81% say they’ve seen a QR code, but only 21% knew what they were called
• Half of smartphone users have scanned a QR code
• 70% of those who scanned QR codes, said it was very easy
• 41% say the information they got was useful
• Magazines and newspapers are the most common QR source for those who’ve scanned a code
• 46% of those who’ve scanned a QR code did so because they were curious

According to a senior consultant at CMB,

“There is acceptance of the technology from consumers.”
“For marketers, there is the opportunity to engage with consumers through these QR codes."

This data tells us that American consumers are ready for QR Codes but business/marketers/developers have to provide more useful information and content for consumers after they scan QR Codes.

Click here to read more info about the survey at CMB.

Black Friday - Scan a QRickit to win a prize!

Mall of America has a display that features a design using its logo and 100 QR Codes. The first shoppers who come in on Black Friday can get a chance to scan the QR Codes to win prizes ranging in value from $25 to $1,000 and including items such as shopping sprees and gift cards.

The campaign's goal is to educate shoppers about QR Codes as well as drive traffic to the mall where videos about how QR Codes work will also be shown. During the holiday season, staff T-shirts and signs featuring QR Codes will give shoppers a chance to win a grand prize for a $1,000 shopping spree.

QRickit helps raise funds for childhood cancer!

QRickit helps Chili's Grill & Bar raise over $5 million for childhood cancer. See the Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign at http://www.createapepper.com/.

QR codes printed on the back of kids' coloring sheets and restaurant table tents directed guests to either a special patient thank you message or to the fundraising campaign website. There have been 291,000 QR code scans.

"By incorporating the QR codes into this charitable campaign, it was a great way to relate to Chili’s tech-savvy guests while giving St. Jude supporters another, easily accessible way to donate to the charity," said a Chili's spokesperson.
 
Thanks for your donations.
 
QRickit

Get your own QRickit at QRickit.com!

QRickit in your coffee!

Starbucks is using QRickits in shops as well as magazine, newspaper and outdoor ads to promote its app and new coffee products.

When people scan the QR codes, they can watch a video about Starbucks’ Caffe Verona blend and do other things, such as find the nearest location, learn more about other coffee products, view the Starbucks menu, check their card balance, and shop.
 

Papa John's QRickit

Papa John's prints QRickits on its pizza boxes. When scanned, the QR Code takes consumers to a YouTube video of the company's founder telling the story of how he started the business.

"QR codes are the best way to bridge digital to print, connecting consumers with interactive content within a static medium." - Papa John's Executive