QR Codes add value to print and promotions

New digital media options have created a more competitive and mobile media landscape than ever before, yet there's no question print is still by far the most powerful and cost-effective way to deliver an offer to your market.

The challenge for marketers is to harness the power of multiple channels to deliver a totally integrated experience that fosters better customer relationships and drives demand. Now, SAM can help you do just that with QR Codes, the latest and smartest way to add immediacy and relevance to catalogues and print advertising.

QR, or 'Quick Response', Codes were developed by Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994. They are two-dimensional barcodes that can store up to 700 times more data than a conventional barcode, in a range of formats. This means they can be encoded with virtually any electronic information you like, from a simple text message, to a phone number, URL, email message or address, v-Card data, Google maps or other geo co-ordinates, even links to Facebook and other social media sites.

And, because they can be read by a range of devices, including most smartphones via inbuilt decoders or simple downloadable apps, they put your message in reach of virtually every consumer, wherever and whenever they want to access it. Just launch your free QR app, point the smartphone's camera at the code and it does the rest, automatically launching the appropriate app to view the information – for instance, if the QR Code is encoded with a website address, your smartphone will launch your browser and go straight to the site.

Not surprisingly, the interest in QR Codes is growing fast and, with the massive growth in smartphones and camera-equipped tablets, coupled with the growth of WiFi networks and increasingly cost-effective data plans, there's no sign of that trend slowing.

Think about what that means...by adding a simple QR Code to your next catalogue, point of sale display or sign, you could provide everyone who sees your ad with access to virtually any information you want them to have, instantly, closing the traditional lag between offer and action. SAM and our QR print and web specialists can seamlessly link the power of print with online content in one, totally integrated experience.

For more information and ideas on how to add value to print and promotions using QR codes to engage and interact with customers contact Peter McKinnon – (03) 9646 5644 or email peter@samsales.com.au