Last fall is when QR codes (quick response) finally hit mass media. You are able to find these small square bar codes on magazine covers, within print ads, on billboards and custom mailers.

Why are these so important and what do they do?

QR Codes require a smartphone with a special bar code reader application installed. When a consumer “scans” the bar code with their phone it takes them to a  mobile website landing page that the bar code was created for. With the popularity of smartphones it has allowed for more people to use this technology to help promote specific sales campaigns.

Social Media Charlotte is an organization promoting social media growth and knowledge within the Charlotte region. One event the group puts on are monthly breakfast that either has a speaker or panel to discuss either a topic within social media or how a company and/or person utilizes social media for growth. This growth could be new business, leads or community inspiration.

We strive that at least one person from Ritz marketing is in attendance every month. More times than not it is myself, Arleigh Jenkins, the Director of Interactive Services. Depending on the topic I may involve co-workers so they can better understand the forever changing landscape of digital interactions.

This mornings Social Media Charlotte breakfast was lead by Kevin Grandia, the Director of Greenpeace USA. Before I hit the items shared in bullet point format I would like to mention that Kevin was a breath of fresh air. He brought real time information for those in attendance. His ego wasn’t inflated even though he runs one of the more successful green non-profits in the US. Maybe his humble views can be shared to those in the digital sphere. Do good things, be the change.

What are QR codes and how can they help your business?

Quick Response codes (QR codes) and other two-dimensional codes are expected to achieve widespread use this year – and for good reason. Consumers want immediate access to what’s relevant and QR codes are being used to make that possible.