Mobile Couponing Tipping Point?

To date, other than Cellfire, success in Mobile couponing has been somewhat limited due to inability of checkout scanner to read bar codes on phones. The lack of this functionality has put a burden on retail compliance because of complexity created for cashiers, sandwich makers, etc. without a scannable bar code.

A new iPhone App, called Cardstar, may be just be a game changer in mobile couponing – The App is the first we've see where a UPC Code can be created on a phone and scanned at checkout (handheld scanner only) at major retailers.

It is being marketed as a loyalty card manager where you no longer need to carry your grocery loyalty cards with you once you have loaded them to your phone.

We tested it and it worked at a CVS store & Petco, but in reading the reviews there seem to be many instances where it does not. The CardStar App is available at the App store.

Definitely something worth watching!

Make a clickable facebook t-shirt. (What?)

Add to friends gear, it's a facebook/QR thing.

QR Codes Go Global

Here is a great article over at CScout on QR codes. It's pretty much everything you need to know (for now). QR codes are a really exciting marketing opportunity for interactive, retail and marketers in general. We're probably just ahead of the curve as far as implementing a true QR campaign, but hey -- it's good to dream and prepare, the day will be here very soon. QR Codes go global.

QR codes hidden in video

Very sweet indeed. Remeber the Pet Shop Boys? Well they are getting some buzz again with their new video and the hidden QR codes within. For us Yanks, QR codes are bar codes that contain digital information and can be read by cell phones. (For now, just european cell phones) Driving those who scan the codes to different urls online. Pretty nifty.

check out the hidden codes:
http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/splash.html