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Somewhere I have a 30 page report from an executive in a media company on why QR codes are the next big thing, because they are big in Japan. If there was any

by ethank 15y ago

Somewhere I have a 30 page report from an executive in a media company on why QR codes are the next big thing, because they are big in Japan. If there was any red flag for me it was the fact that those that didn't know consumer habits, technology or why the milieu of both would effect the adoption of a new mode of doing things were saying these things. QR codes were pushed because they hit the marketing sweet spot of engagement and measurability, without any acknowledgment of the dissonance imposed. As I said once: "QR codes: like using a megaphone to seduce someone. The ugliest, stupidest, most useless (and used less) tech in a while."

MatthewPhillips 15y ago
40% of people surveyed in this not-so-scientific survey knew what it was. Despite there not being any real reason why they should know (there has been no effort into marketing them beyond the tech circles, as far as I can tell, unlike a hashtag which is used by nearly every television show, and explained by said television show). And despite the second most used mobile OS not having a default implementation. I don't know what you define as successful, but to me this qualifies. I was hoping this article would be able how marketers don't generally do anything useful with the barcodes. Sending you to their website (probably designed for desktops) is not the way to go. He touched on this, but then focused on QR code's lack of ubiquity.
- ethank 15y ago
  I quantify successful is we used it as the backbone of a campaign for one of the biggest bands and the world and saw very little usage.
bdonlan 15y ago
It should be noted that smartphone adoption in Japan is rather low, and keyboard phones are quite rare. Usually there will be a separate website for PCs and not-so-smart phones. So there's a good reason to use QR codes there, even if it just leads to your homepage.

by ethank 15y ago

MatthewPhillips 15y ago

40% of people surveyed in this not-so-scientific survey knew what it was. Despite there not being any real reason why they should know (there has been no effort into marketing them beyond the tech circles, as far as I can tell, unlike a hashtag which is used by nearly every television show, and explained by said television show). And despite the second most used mobile OS not having a default implementation. I don't know what you define as successful, but to me this qualifies. I was hoping this article would be able how marketers don't generally do anything useful with the barcodes. Sending you to their website (probably designed for desktops) is not the way to go. He touched on this, but then focused on QR code's lack of ubiquity.

ethank 15y ago
I quantify successful is we used it as the backbone of a campaign for one of the biggest bands and the world and saw very little usage.

bdonlan 15y ago

It should be noted that smartphone adoption in Japan is rather low, and keyboard phones are quite rare. Usually there will be a separate website for PCs and not-so-smart phones. So there's a good reason to use QR codes there, even if it just leads to your homepage.