Marketing to the Mobile Savvy

In recent years smart phones have taken over. They can do just about anything you want them to. "There's an app for that" is the first thing that comes to mind. 

As we all know marketing to smart phone users is a booming trend. I recently read through a Motor Trend magazine and just out of curiosity (and boredom), I counted 22 QR codes in ads placed throughout the publication. That is amazing to me. That is 22 additional channels or "mobile crossover" opportunities to reach and inform someone.

It doesn't just stop at QR codes. There are some new apps and technologies out that do the same type of crossover interactive marketing sort of like what QR codes do. Here is a quick listing of ones I find interesting.

Shazam

Shazam is unlike a QR code where as you don't scan an image but scan a sound (song, commercial, etc). You may have seen it before, a blue box with an S in the center that will appear briefly during a television commercial or show (think superbowl). While it is popular for music, it can be used for other forms of content like commercials it picks up the sound from the commercial and takes you to that website, etc.

IntoNow

Pretty much the same idea as Shazam  but more of a networking app. IntoNow gives users the ability to almost instantly recognize TV content and then helps them share and discuss those shows with friends, both within the product and through other social streams such as Facebook and Twitter.

Google Goggles

Similar to a QR code as you take a picture of something. But in this case you would take pictures of wholes ads, images, posters, etc. They will be recognized by the app, and users will have the option of clicking-through directly to a mobile destination from the brand. As far as I know this is still being tested with some larger corporations but I am seeing it more and more.

Its exciting to see what technology will bring next. The tools and developments in the works makes this an exciting time to be in marketing.

Until next time,

Jeremy