QR codes were unofficially declared dead in 2016. Marketers quietly gave up and moved on to the next new thing.
Now they are back with a vengeance. Over a quarter of all US smartphone owners, and an even greater percentage of tablet users, scanned one in the past month. Yes, the past month.
What’s driving the resurgence? First, the latest smartphones have QR code functionality built into their cameras. No more downloading clunky apps and messing around with separate readers. Second, social media platforms ranging from LinkedIn to Snapchat have adopted them. Finally, retailers like Target, Starbucks and Amazon Go are leveraging the codes to make paying more convenient.
Brands are catching on to QR codes’ potential. Porsche Cayenne Turbo recently ran a campaign that allowed consumers who scanned a QR code to personalize their own vehicle on a custom microsite. Other companies are experimenting with QR codes that go beyond just connecting to a website—they help users automatically follow social media profiles, calendar events and download coupons.
Sources: Digital Operative 2018, G2crowd 2019, Globalwebindex 2019, Media Genius 2018
So please…You’re creative. That’s why you considered the name “Brandology.” Use those creative juices to come up with another name that’s not already trademarked. Even though it will take some time, it will be fun, happy time — a stunning contrast to the time you’ll spend with Brandon if you try to use “Brandology.” Really. (It’s probably a little tacky to mention, but if you want our help naming your business, that’s something we do too.)