Have you scanned an advertising bar code yet?

9/30/10

Perhaps you’ve noticed in the past year that bar codes are popping up in magazines, posters and billboards. When I first read about the technology, I thought it would be a great tool for point-of-purchase -- to provide additional information so consumers don’t walk away empty handed when they are confused. But with only 25% of cell phones capable of scanning them, adoption has been slow.

Now comes word that Bluefly is using them in television ads! When Bravo viewers scan the 45-second Closet Confessions spot, not only can they get more information about products, they are also offered a $30 discount on a $150 purchase at bluefly.com. (Olson, 2010)

That seems promising to me. What do you think? Will you give it a try? Have you already?

Olson, E. (2010, September 26). Bar Codes Add Detail on Items in TV Ads. nytimes.com. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/business/media/27bluefly.html?_r=2