QR Code in the Wild & Around the World.

Google Favorite Places
Search giant Google has launched Favorite Places, a project which has mailed out QR code packs to over 100,000 local US businesses which have been the most sought out and researched. Around 9,000 towns in all 50 states have been targeted over the next two weeks.

Disney QR Campaign
The Walt Disney company has released posters near the Ikebukuro Station (Japan) which show Micky Mouse, Donald Duck and Stitch partially covered by QR codes and the eyes and nose of each character can be seen in the center of the QR code. The QR codes redirect users to Disney Channel’s mobile site.

QR Code on a Reusable Box
Columbia Sportswear has launched A Box Life which aims to allow it’s customers to choose a previously used cardboard box. A QR code on the outside of each used box allows the purchaser to track where the box has been and also enables pictures to be uploaded to create a history of the box’s journey. 60% of customers have taken up the option when buying goods from the website.

Sony Quantum QR Code Contest Campaign
Sony has launched quantumcode.mobi which is an intriguing game based on QR codes. Constance Newlove is an imaginary data analyst at MI6 and her life is in danger after coming into the possession of information regarding the Quantum Code. The Quantum code opens a safe which contains something that could change the world forever and your mission is to stop it falling into the wrong hands. What makes the game play a little out of the ordinary is the fact that information is time released so the site will keep you on the edge of your seat for quite a while.

Pepsi QR Code Campaign
Pepsi UK has kicked off a Pepsi Max kicks mobile phone campaign using QR codes on their bottles and cans. Consumers can download various content for their mobile phones just by scanning the barcode with their mobile phone. The QR code will automatically redirect the mobile to a WAP site containing the content. Over 400 million Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Max cans and bottles will have the QR code placed on them. Games, videos and weird and wacky websites are just a few options available to Pepsi consumers. The rollout will give the company an alternative way of communicating with the brands consumers. See Pepsi Max for more information. The latest Nokia mobile phones already have the capability to read QR codes.

Blood: The Last Vampire QR Code
Arena BLM are using QR codes on outdoor print advertising for Pathé’s forthcoming film Blood: The Last Vampire due to be released in the UK on 26th June. Scanning the QR code directs the user to a mobile website where a movie trailer can be viewed. Themed wallpapers and an option to create your own comic strip are also available.

QR Codes in the Context of Art
c6 and Steal are launching the exhibition Street Art Dealer at Bristol on 9 July (6-9.30pm at 74-76 Horsefair, Broadmead) which aims to show innovative uses of QR code technology within the context of art. An “interactive installation that accommodates the nature of the QR code” will also be demonstrated. See the invitation.

Dubai QR Code Hotel
It seems that project Code unique, which aims to create a futuristic building with a QR code theme has began to make tracks. Söhne & Partner’s QR Code Building, which may be built in Dubai’s Studio City (planning began late last year), has released various images to show what the finished result may look like. Read the fact sheet.

Green Day American Punk Trio Promotes with QR Codes
With over 22 million records sold to date American punk rock trio Green Day has placed a QR code on the front cover of their latest album which directs fans to an exclusive website where they can listen to music, watch videos, connect with other fans and even download the groups recent hit Know Your Enemy.

Focus Films Feature QR Code on Pedicabs
Focus Features, the art house films division of NBC Universal Pictures, has branded pedicabs containing QR codes in downtown San Diego during Comic-Con to promote Tim Burton’s film 9. Scanning the QR codes will direct users to one of four exclusive messages from the director.

European QR Code TV Commercial
Belgium bank Banco de la Poste is currently running probably Europe’s first QR code centric TV Commercial. The advert shows a young model wearing a QR code T shirt and constantly shows a QR code in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Louise Vuitton Designer QR Code
SET, a creative agency based in Tokyo, Japan has announced a QR code collaboration with Louis Vuitton aimed at generating traffic to their website, raise awareness of QR code marketing and to demonstrate the possibilities of designer QR codes. The QR codes have been given a distinctive twist by adding color and a touch of design flair to make them stand out from the competition in the hope of creating what is ordinarily a bland image.

Kia SM QR Los Angeles Car Show Campaign
Kia motors has launched a Kia Soul Mobile website in the US for the Los Angeles Auto show. QR codes at various locations and on different literature will direct visitors to the KiaSoul.com website which will contain a variety of downloadable artwork from various artists.

QR Codes on Postcards
An Australian promotional postcard maker, has recently started to add QR codes onto a range of postcards which could revolutionize the postcard market in the region. The QR codes are linked to the e-card section of their website and mobile users can pick and dispatch an e-card immediately.

Radio 1 Drives Traffic with QR Code
Radio 1’s recent Big Weekend saw the introduction of Get Lily on your mobile QR code posters at various points around the site as part of a three pronged mobile plan to serve mobile video content. With a 361% increase in UK page impressions on the previous year the strategy seemed to pay off.