Heineken Personalized QR Code Stickers Become Ice Breakers At Music Festival (Video)

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Rick Mathieson

Hat’s off to Heineken.

We’re digging this this very cool initiative from Leo Burnett Warsaw for the Heineken Open’er Music Festival: A special system that enabled concertgoers to create customized QR code stickers that other attendees could then scan to spark up conversation.

It’s just one of the ways Heineken’s been using innovation (digital and otherwise) over the last year – from the Occasionally Perfect Billboard, to Starvision personalized club signage to augmented reality advertising.

In this particular effort, QR codes (or”U-Codes,” as they call them here) become social lubricants to make the concert-going experience more social and fun.

And isn’t that that great music is all about?

Holler Gram Turns Your iPad Into A Hilarious Billboard

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Rick Mathieson

What’s not to love about spending $600+ on a digital tablet that can also double as a personal billboard?

In this case, it may very well be worth it. Holler Gram from Made by Many turns your iPad into a billboard for you to spread your message – your own, or some hilarious pre-made options, including “I’m Tweeting The Crap Out of This”, “Ask the Flipping Question!” (a few of which are shown in this App Store publicity shot) and an Olympic-style scorecard – to those around you.

We can immediately see uses at concerts and sporting events – the ultimate in self expression to show the love to your favorite band or team.

But we also like the suggested uses from one iTunes reviewer, who says this “is going to be great at meetings, but I can see it being used while driving.”

Suddenly, the iPad is no longer merely digital. It’s analog, too.

A must-have app for the iPad 2. Find it here - and learn more about the company behind it, here.

The Future of Online Promotions: Using Social + Mobile + Coupons to Drive Engagement (Video)

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Rick Mathieson

You don’t want to miss this video from ad:tech SF 2011: Social Media: The Future of Online Promotions.

Among the highlights: Tony Francis, head of mobile strategy for Coca-Cola, and Dorrian Porter, CEO of Mozes, in a segment titled “The Future of Online Promotions: Using Social + Mobile + Coupons to Drive Engagement.”

In focus: A case study of how Mozes and Coca-Cola used mobile to engage attendees at the Coke Essence Festival, through special events, giveaways and more. As you’ll see, 15%-20% response rates aren’t uncommon – nor is brand enthusiasm.

What’s key here is that the world “location” can also be added into the equation, as the examples given here emphasize the power of mobile as a response mechanism for offers displayed in other media, and at live events.

The secret to success: Capitalizing on the three “p’s”: People, passion and place.

As you’ll see, the impact makes physical world coupons handed out by street teams obsolete. And more importantly, it gives Coca-Cola the chance to become a part of attendees lives long after the live event is over.

A sign of things to come.

‘The Voice’: Print Ads That Speak To You (Video)

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Rick Mathieson

Love this print series from Publicis for Reporters without Borders, promoting freedom of the press.

Scanning a QR code and placing your phone on the print ad creates the effect shown here.

It reminds me of the “UN Voices Campaign” from a couple years back that enabled a similar experience. Here, the physical engagement of placing the phone on the ad – and the fact that it’s initiated through QR codes – has a nice impact for an important effort.

Ramping up for UGC popularity in Mobile

Posted on December 6, 2007 by patty

UGC (User Generated Content) has spread throughout the net like wildfire and has changed the course of many if not all industries. Consumers are not only embracing UGC content as a new form of entertainment, but they are also putting on their director hats and creating content as well. The result is a self feeding phenomenon that’s exponentially bombarding the net and paving the way for new opportunities in all industries. Such as for music to be exposed, brands to execute more product placement, b-list celebrities to be created and more. It’s evident that not only is user generated material making its mark to consumers in the entertainment capacity, but moreso in regards to businesses and all new “rev share” models developing – creating a way for companies to monetize of content they never were able to before.

With all that said – now that online has taken shape and integrated into our everyday lives, consumers and businesses are ready for the next step. Which brings us to the mobile landscape. It’s interesting to see how Video content keeps on getting truncated. From 30 minute episodes to 10 minute online video clips and now to 2 minute mobi – sodes. Content can quickly become created, karate chopped, and packaged into bite sized morsels – ready for delivery into the mobile world. Once handsets start ramping up and figure out how to house more mobile content – 08 is going to be an interesting time to watch and see how the adoption of mobile will develop and the new business models and “rev share” deals on content, will be created.