Big news everybody! SnapTags are allegedly the new QR codes. Wait. What the $%@& is a SnapTag?!

Before we get into that let’s talk about QR Codes. QR codes are the visually unappealing Matrix-like 2D barcodes that contain any type of data the advertiser wants. When you scan it with a QR Code reader, you are delivered videos, mobile product sites, images, coupons etc. You have probably seen them in ads on everything from billboards to busses. What’s good about QR codes is that since they can contain tons of information it allows the advertiser to deliver more information than can fit in a traditional print or video ad. Liquidus has been placing QR codes on our Video On Demand content for over a year which allows viewers to purchase products directly from their TV through the QR code. But QR codes are unbranded, take up valuable ad space and are visually unappealing – so much so that many consumers ignore them. And advertisers treat them as a necessary evil since they can’t be branded with their logo or style.

SnapTags to the rescue(?)!
SnapTags actually use the company’s logo instead of an indecipherable blob of black and white squares. You place the company’s logo in the center of a notched ring. The breaks contain the content and can be arranged in thousands of ways to create unique codes. You can either take a photo of the SnapTag and text it to a designated number to receive information (videos, coupons, directed to special mobile websites, etc.) or you can scan it via a SnapTag app. Time will tell if they will replace QR codes but I think we can all agree they are a lot more visually appealing and are better utilize promotional real estate to convey brand messages.