QR Codes

QR Codes are popping up in more and more places. QR is short for quick response and they originated in Japan where they are very common (mostly as a result of the ubiquity of smart phones in Japan). If you haven't already, you'll see QR codes on billboards, in magazines, advertisements, coupons, even t-shirts. Smartphone users will need a QR code scanner application for their phone. When they use this application to scan the QR code, the QR code will provide information about the business, a web page, or possibly a coupon to be used in-store. These codes may even be used on business cards that could link to a YouTube video, for example.

One interesting function for these QR codes is that it is suspected that search engines may soon begin to read QR codes and index the content within them.

The question remains whether or not customers will use these codes. Some may not be technically savvy enough to understand how to use the codes, so the adoption rate may be slow. However, these codes blur the lines of media -- integrating digital with print.

Voice of the Customer and Web 2.0

Social media is all the rage these days, but some large company executives think social media is 'just for kids' and not a profitable business function to include in its plans. However, today's social media relationships that consumers have with businesses and brands goes beyond fun and games. Businesses like Comcast and Jetblue are using social media as a channel for customer service and unsolicited feedback. According to a March 2009 Nielsen report, about two-thirds of the world's internet population uses social media. With so many people using social media, it provides brands an opportunity for an additional channel to interact with its customers, provide marketing messages, provide fast customer service through a new channel and get unsolicited feedback from customers. What companies need to now do is take this information to a new level and take action on this information. This chart shows that consumers agree that they expect brands to participate in social media, especially to identify service and support issues. Companies that utilize the social media channel, and ultimately use this information to improve products and processes, will most likely succeed in the customer's eyes. This article provides more information on voice of the customer and web 2.0.

I Like it on...

Social media hit a high note today with Facebook's "I Like on" today around 6 pm today. I Like it on is showing up all over facebook and people are using Google to search its meaning as well. I Like it on is an attempt to unite around breast cancer awareness month in a top secret way. Last year's "I Like it on" was all about bra colors -- bringing awareness to breast cancer, while creating a buzz throughout the facebook community, keeping people (mostly men) guessing as to what all their female facebook friends statuses with "I like it pink" meant. This year's topic -- where you like to put your purse when you get home. A seemingly simple and not necessarily conversation worthy status setting, but the viral nature of the message has created a buzz in the online community. The campaign started with a viral email telling women to use "I like it on" to denote where they like to put their purse. Not only was this marketing technique viral within the facebook community, but it also hit the general online community with users trying to figure out what it meant. This is a great example of internet marketing and a campaign generating buzz, creating awareness!