Category: Mobile Marketing

Augmented reality to be used for covers of famous gaming magazines

| October 24, 2012

 Augmented reality to promote Far Cry 3

Augmented reality continues to make waves in the world of print, as some of the world’s most prolific gaming magazines announce that they will be using the technology for upcoming cover stories. Xbox Magazine, Playstation Magazine, and PC Gamer have all announced that they will use augmented reality for special editions of their covers featuring the upcoming game Far Cry 3. To accomplish this, the magazines have teamed with Aurasma, a leading augmented reality platform.

Future US sets sights on interactive technology to engage readers

Future US, which owns the magazines, has decided to use augmented reality in order to engage readers in a more dynamic fashion. The technology has proven itself capable of accomplishing this feat effectively in the past in numerous marketing campaigns. Future US believes that the technology can help bring new content to the audiences of the magazines in a way that they will enjoy and help generate hype behind the looming release of Far Cry 3.

Readers will be able to access exclusive content through special edition coversAugmented reality browser

Playstation Magazine will be the first to run its augmented reality cover on October 23. Both Xbox Magazine and PC Gamer will run their covers on November 6. Readers with smart phones equipped with the Future AR application will be able to access the digital content that is contained within the covers of these magazines. This content will range from exclusive video footage of the game to interviews with the game’s developers.

Augmented reality may help print remain relevant

When it comes to games, augmented reality is most often used as a gimmick to provide some novelty entertainment to gamers. The technology could help print establish a foothold in a time where most consumers favor their mobile devices over traditional media. Though magazines have managed to hold some favor with consumers, many publications are still feeling the pressure caused by the advent of mobile technology. Thus, these publications must find ways to adapt if they want to continue being relevant with their audience.

Sonic uses QR codes to help schools and teachers

| October 24, 2012

 Sonic launches QR code campaign

Fast food giant Sonic has teamed with DonorsChoose.org to launch a new campaign to encourage consumers to donate to local schools. The campaign, called Limeades for Learning, leverages QR codes as a way to engage consumers. QR codes have become a formidable marketing tool and have shown that they can be quite effective in mobile commerce, thus Sonic has chosen the codes as the flagship for the new campaign. The codes may be able to entice consumers to donate to schools in their area.

Scanbuy develops new codes for Sonic campaign

The QR codes used for the campaign were developed by Scanbuy, a mobile marketing agency. These codes can be scanned using the ScanLife application, which is available for free for smart phones. When the codes are scanned, consumers will be taken to a mobile commerce site where they can search for the name of schools and education projects in their area. Donations will be used to purchase educational materials for schools associated with the campaign, such as books and writing utensils.Sonic QR Codes

QR codes allow consumers to donate to local schools

Sonic notes that more than 6,500 teachers throughout the U.S. have signed up for the Limeades for Learning campaign. DonorsChoose.org claims that the country’s teachers spend a cumulative $1 billion each year out-of-pocket for school materials. Consumers will also be able to vote for educational projects they find interesting through the campaign. At the end of October, Sonic will choose the project with the winning vote and donate up to $100,000 to the project.

Codes considered ideal way to reach out to consumers

This is the fourth consecutive year that Sonic has been behind the Limeades for Learning campaign. The company believes that QR codes are the best way to reach out to consumers in an efficient manner and get them engaged in the campaign. Indeed, many consumers have proven this to be true in the past, as those with smart phones have regularly engaged in mobile marketing campaigns that make use of QR codes in some way.