Twenty or so odd years back, no one would have envisioned how much QR Codes would be engrained in our daily lives.
One cannot just go without a day of spotting or using a QR Code now. That holds for all the marketing campaigns that you see today.
Now you might have seen various examples of QR Codes in marketing, but do you know which ones are the best?
You don’t even need to scour the internet for the same, just read this guide to know all about it.
A. Best example of QR Codes in marketing
1. Vivocity’s great Singapore sales campaign
VivoCity, Singapore’s largest and most renowned shopping mall, crafted a creative and interactive marketing initiative in 2013 during the renowned “The Great Singapore Sale” to actively engage customers and bolster their presence on social media platforms.
Demonstrating remarkable innovation, they introduced an enticing concept called VivoCity Codeys, charming mascots camouflaged as living, walking QR Codes.
The primary objective of this inventive campaign was to encourage shoppers to participate actively and interact with the mall in an enjoyable, tech-savvy manner.
To enter the contest and have the opportunity to win enticing prizes, visitors were required to scan the QR Codes displayed on the VivoCity Codeys using their smartphones.
With a simple scan, they were redirected to a specially curated contest page featuring enticing prizes awaiting lucky winners.
A stroke of brilliance in the campaign was the stipulation that participants must ‘Like’ VivoCity’s official Facebook page to qualify for the giveaway. This strategy resulted in a 4500 increase in follower count, with over 8600 scans recorded.
2. Pepsi’s SuperBowl marketing campaign
Pepsi, a globally recognized beverage giant, has incorporated QR Codes into its marketing strategy on multiple occasions. During Super Bowl LVI, Pepsi effectively utilized QR Codes by featuring one in its advertisement.
After the ad, viewers were prompted to scan the QR Code to access a special Show app for AR photo sharing.
By employing a clear call-to-action and offering something exclusive to QR Code scanners, Pepsi managed to captivate its audience freshly and interactively.
This approach not only sparked interest in their products but also provided valuable insights into consumer preferences and behaviors.
3. Starbucks’ loyalty program campaign
Starbucks, a globally recognized coffee powerhouse, has a track record of implementing cutting-edge marketing strategies.
Their loyalty program stands out as a prime example of leveraging QR Codes effectively. Customers could effortlessly access incentives and discounts for future purchases by simply scanning the code with their mobile devices.
This seamless connection not only fosters customer engagement but also grants additional perks to loyal patrons.
Furthermore, Starbucks utilized QR Codes within their stores to enhance the personalized shopping experience. Placed alongside each product, these QR Codes allowed customers to delve into comprehensive details about different coffee blends.
Armed with this information and guided by their preferences, customers could make informed decisions tailored to their tastes.
4. Nike’s custom shoes campaign
Nike revolutionized personalization with its promotion of customized sneakers. Utilizing QR Codes printed on shoeboxes or integrated into marketing materials, customers could access Nike’s customization platform to design their pair of trainers.
This innovative approach fostered a feeling of ownership and empowered customers to showcase their individuality through their personalized footwear choices.
5. Halo promotion
In March 2022, a spectacular QR Code composed of 400 drones illuminated the night sky at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.
Paramount+, in partnership with ad agency Giant Spoon, orchestrated this captivating aerial showcase as a promotional tactic for the sci-fi series Halo.
The QR Code captivated spectators, leading them to the series trailer on YouTube, piquing their curiosity and engagement.
6. Budweiser’s scavenger hunt
Budweiser, as the official beer sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2022, launched a QR Code-based scavenger hunt on August 13—100 days prior to the event.
Strategically scattered at locations significant to Budweiser’s sponsored athletes, these QR Codes stirred excitement among soccer enthusiasts.
A teaser featuring soccer icons Messi, Neymar Jr., and Sterling further heightened anticipation.
Lucky participants who scanned the codes stood a chance to win signed memorabilia, a year’s supply of beer, and complimentary tickets to the World Cup.
7. Ikea’s buy back campaign
You might have sometimes faced a situation where you might have bought a furniture that you may no longer need, right?
To tackle this problem, the Swedish furniture giant IKEA introduced a novel buyback system, integrating the use of IKEA QRs to facilitate swift transactions.
The buy back system enables customers to return their purchases in exchange for an in-store gift card, which they can apply towards their next IKEA purchase.
To ensure a smooth return process, customers must adhere to certain terms and conditions. This involves scanning a confirmation QR to obtain a referral number, which they must then present to store staff.
8. Macy’s Black Friday campaign
Macy’s celebrated its tenth year of using QR Codes into its Black Friday sale in 2020.
Given the unique circumstances of 2020, with shopping dynamics evolving significantly compared to previous black friday events, Macy’s utilization of QR Codes proved to be highly successful in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.
9. Coinbases’s Super Bowl campaign
During the Super Bowl, cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase seized attention with a captivating 60-second ad featuring a dynamic QR Code.
The ad showcased a QR Code floating on the screen, shifting colors reminiscent of the early 2000s bouncing DVD screensaver, during the commercial break.
This QR Code directed users to an exclusive Super Bowl promotion on Coinbase’s landing page, offering cryptocurrency prizes and unique discounts on trading fees to those who scanned it.
Remarkably, the Coinbase ad received over 20 million scans within a minute, resulting in a temporary website crash due to the influx of visitors.
Consequently, Coinbase’s mobile app surged from a modest 186th place to an impressive 2nd place in the App Store charts.
10. Unilever’s know your product campaign
The “Know Your Product” QR Campaign was centered on integrating QR Codes into bus stands and metro stations.
These QR Codes acted as digital gateways to a wealth of information that extended beyond conventional sales pitches.
Upon scanning the QR Code with their smartphones or tablets, customers were directed to a dedicated webpage offering comprehensive details about the product’s ingredients, manufacturing process, and environmental impact.
Transparency lies at the heart of this campaign. From ingredient sourcing to rigorous testing procedures, Dove is committed to sharing its narrative.
Unilever provides people with access to this information, empowering them to make informed choices about the products they bring into their homes.
The marketing efforts went beyond mere product promotion. Customers could also engage directly with Unilever through the specialized website. They could leave comments, pose questions, and even offer suggestions for improvement. By actively listening to and addressing customer concerns, Unilever cultivates a sense of community and fosters confidence in its relationship with consumers.
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B. How are QR Codes helpful in marketing campaigns
1. Enhanced interactivity
QRs help consumers engage with marketing materials in a dynamic way, such as accessing additional product information, promotional offers, or multimedia content. This is all achieved with a simple scan from their smartphones.
2. Convenience
QRs provide a quick and easy way for consumers to access information or offers without the need for typing URLs or searching online. This convenience can lead to increased engagement with the campaign.
3. Trackable metrics
QRs can be tracked to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. As a marketerr, you can monitor scan rates, locations, times, and devices used, providing valuable insights into consumer behavior and campaign performance.
4. Budget friendly
Using QRs into marketing materials is relatively inexpensive compared to other marketing tactics. As a marketer, that is something that you really need. Also, tey can be easily generated and printed on various marketing collateral.
5. A seamless connection between online and offline worlds
QRs seamlessly connect offline marketing materials to online content or experiences. They provide a way to drive traffic to websites, social media profiles, videos, or other digital platforms, creating a cohesive brand experience across different channels.
6. Personalization
As a marketer, you can customize QR Code campaigns to target specific audience segments or personalize content based on user preferences, location, or past interactions. This tailored approach can increase relevance and engagement with the marketing message.
7. Contactless engagement
QR Codes offer a contactless way for consumers to interact with marketing materials or make purchases, contributing to a safer and more hygienic experience.
C. Tips to maximize QR Code engagement in a marketing campaign
1. Provide value
As a marketer, ensure that the content in your QR Code provides real value to the consumer. It could be an exclusive discounts, access to additional information, or interactive experiences. Your target audience is more likely to engage if they perceive a benefit.
2. Clear call-to-action
Clearly communicate what users can expect by scanning the QR Code. Use a compelling CTA that drive users to action.
3. Optimize placement
Strategically place QR Codes in locations where your target audience is likely to encounter them, such as on product packaging, marketing materials, signage, or digital screens. Make sure the QR Code is easily visible and accessible.
4. Test your QR Code’s size and design
Ensure that the QR is large enough to be scanned easily, even from a distance. You can also test different sizes and designs to find what works best for your audience and printing materials. Stay away from placing QRs on busy backgrounds or where they may be distorted.
5. Provide instructions
Include simple instructions on how to scan the QR. This will help, especially if your target audience may not be familiar with QR technology. Briefly explain how to use the device’s camera or suggest downloading a QR Code scanner app if needed.
6. Mobile optimization
You need to make sure that the landing page or content linked to the QR is mobile-friendly and optimized for various devices and screen sizes. A poor user experience on mobile devices can deter engagement.
7. Track and analyze performance
Use analytics tools to track QR scans and analyze user engagement metrics, such as scan rates, time spent on the landing page, and conversion rates. You can then use this data to refine your campaign strategy and optimize future QR placements.
8. Promote across channels
Promote the QR Code across multiple marketing channels, including social media, email newsletters, websites, and offline materials. Create awareness and excitement around the QR Code campaign to encourage more people to scan it.
9. Offer incentives
You can consider offering incentives or rewards to encourage QR engagement, such as entry into a contest, loyalty points, or freebies. People are more likely to scan the code if they perceive a tangible benefit.
Summing Up
As we’ve seen through these illuminating examples, brands across diverse industries are leveraging QR Codes to amplify their reach and captivate audiences in unprecedented ways.
Remember, the key lies in understanding your audience, aligning your goals, and delivering value at every touchpoint. With the right strategy and a dash of creativity, the sky’s the limit.
If you’re still reading, you’ve learned everything about example of QR Codes in marketing. If you have any questions, let us know in the comments.
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