Smartphone users are seeing QR (or Quick Response) Codes popping up everywhere, linking users to websites, newsletter subscriptions, how-to videos, and the like. The applications for QR Code links are truly endless, especially as personalized QR Codes become more widely used. Where these codes were originally static and landed all users on the same website, video, etc., the codes are evolving and becoming tailored to the user based on market demographics and shopping habits—a marketer’s dream!

One of Ivie’s core competencies is print procurement and production, so QR Codes are a very exciting feature for us, as well. They allow our clients to link printed pieces such as posters and direct mail back to their online marketing efforts. QR Codes allow our clients to grow their online newsletters, Facebook fan pages, and customer loyalty programs (to name a few), while adding very little to their marketing costs. And our clients’ customers are receiving valuable content and discounts at no additional cost to them—it is truly a win-win situation.

Scan this QR code to visit the Ivie website.

The United States Postal Service has also recently realized the value of QR codes to them, as QR Codes on direct mail pieces are practical to implement, could develop additional interest in mail as vehicle and boost postage revenue for the USPS. To encourage the use of these codes, the USPS has recently announced a proposed discount (pending Postal Regulatory Commission approval) on Standard and First-Class mail letters and flats that include QR Codes running through the mail stream from July 1, 2011 to August 31, 2011. The 3% discount has the ability to save tens of thousands of dollars on bulk advertising mailings, and there is no limit on the number of times it can be used during the mailing period—this is exciting stuff for those of us living in the direct mail world on a daily basis! I hope that this information can be of use to you, as well; adding value for our clients (and our readers!) is what we do best!