QR codes go mainstream

June 1, 2011 by Jonathan Paul

The QR code seems to have gone from the cool kid code of choice to the masses.
Global TV Vancouver recently launched a contest where viewers were prompted to scan a QR code displayed during the weather report to enter to win a TV home theatre system from Future Shop and a Shaw HD package. Global advertised on-air, driving to News Hour Final, and via Twitter, Facebook and e-newsletters.  
In fundraising circles, the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) is implementing QR codes to raise awareness. Dairy Queen is creating 7.9 million QR code-enabled Blizzard cups for its Miracle Treat Day in August, which will allow Blizzard-eaters to instantly donate to CMN.
A recent report by Vancouver-based mobile payment and marketing co Mobio Identity Systems, which facilitated these QR code campaigns, says payment scans are the second-top driver to QR code usage, accounting for 6% (mobile QR payments grew 256% from Q1 to Q2). The top driver is information at 89%. The report also found that new QR-enabled users increased by 928%, significant since people’s use of QR barcodes is driven by advertising, which is the leading cause of registration.