QR Code and Free Cupcakes

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.”