Without a doubt, 2011 was defined by the ever-evolving digital landscape. With all the advances we saw last year, what's in store for 2012?
My colleague Chris Zobel, Luckie & Company's Director of Digital Strategy, runs down the top trends of 2012, all of which revolve around data and content. This year, tailoring content to consumers will be key, and savvy marketers are already heading in that direction.
From business cards and TV spots to candy wrappers and T-shirts, QR codes have infiltrated marketing campaigns worldwide.
Welcome to the matrix.
Even though that small square contains an enormous amount of marketing prowess, it's useless if not properly utilized. Chris Zobel, Director of Digital Strategy at Luckie & Company, has crafted an excellent primer for marketers looking to effectively incorporate them into their strategies.
Chris explores the four key basics of QR code marketing, how home improvement retail giant Home Depot is using the codes to increase their mobile presence, and key demographic stats.
It's time for another installment from my colleague David Stutts' series on "20 Interesting Things," originally posted on our agency blog and still generating lots of great conversations.
This time around, David focuses on QR Codes, those square bar codes that let you do everything from linking to a mobile site to finding exclusive video content from your favorite magazine.
One of the most exciting fields in digital marketing right now is retail, which is why I'm really looking forward to speaking to 4,000 or so attendees at the Internet Retailer Conference and Expo in Chicago next Wednesday.
I'll be discussing recent case studies in how retailers — online and brick-and-mortar — are using social media to increase their reach and customer loyalty.
The format of this presentation will be pretty fun, because I'll be on stage with one of my favorite digital luminaries, Dan Shust from Resource Interactive in Columbus, Ohio. Our discussion is called "Two Thumbs Up (or Down) On Social Media Efforts."
I don't want to spoil any surprises by talking about the case studies here, so I figured I'd share a few that we actually ended up cutting from the presentation due to time constraints.
Specifically, the following three tidbits are examples of insanely innovative ideas on how the in-person shopping experience is evolving almost to science-fiction levels. Check it out:
The Diesel Cam
While it might sound a bit pervy at first to imagine a Web cam in your fitting room, the Diesel Cam is actually a really fun idea floated by an agency in Spain for the Diesel fashion line. After trying on an outfit, you can have your picture taken and uploaded to your Facebook page, where friends can help you judge the look.
Here's a video demonstration:
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Intel's Holographic Window Display
Intel admits this is "three to five years out from what we'll see in the retail space," but it's still a compelling example of how new technology is changing the nature of shopping, even in-store.
Check out the video (after a brief pre-roll ad):
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N Building: The first QR Code facade
Most examples of QR Codes — those square bar codes that you've probably noticed popping up in magazine ads — simply direct your mobile device to a promotional Web site. That's fine, but it doesn't get at the tremendous social media potential housed in those black-and-white icons.
So I was excited to see the N Building, a Japanese project that covered an entire low-rise facade with QR Codes that share information about the businesses inside — and even Twitter posts by the people inside. A little creepy, a little trippy, but undeniably interesting.
How it works:
If you're going to be at the Internet Retailer Conference, I hope we get a chance to connect. If you can't make it, Dan and I plan to post our presentation as soon as we can after the event.
