When QR Code Campaigns Go Horribly Wrong!

When QR Code Campaigns Go Horribly Wrong!

The Top 5 QR Code Failures..

A QR Code (Quick Response Code) is a mobile phone readable barcode which has been available to businesses and consumers for a number of years (Schumack et al, 2013). If implemented effectively, QR Codes are a great way of driving traffic to your website. In the early years, there was a surge towards the use of QR Codes (Massis, 2011). However, in recent years questions have been raised over the suitability and feasibility of QR Codes as a marketing tool. Although there have been a number of successful QR Code campaigns, there have also been a number of failures. Here's a look at some of the ridiculous QR Code campaigns to date...

1.

It's no surprise that this QR Campaign is number one in the Top 5 QR Code Failures. Not only is the idea ridiculous, it is also far from practical as the code is too far away from anyone to scan. Even if the code was scannable, can you really imagine people pointing their phones to the sky??

2.

Although this code is scannable, there are some places you just don't want to be getting your phone out in order to scan a code. The location of the code is one of the most important aspects of the campaign, and clearly who ever was in charge here got that horribly wrong..

3.

Whoever commissioned this QR Code campaign clearly wasn't aware of health and safety. No matter how good the promotion may be, no QR Code is worth risking your life for. Not only is the code is this campaign too small but the location of it is hardly accessible..

4.

Once again this QR Code campaign ignores the first principle of digital marketing - making it accessible to the consumer. Again, this code is far too small to be noticeable and the idea of someone pointing their phone to the sky to scan a code is far from realistic. 

5.

This campaign deserves to be in the top 5 purely for its stupidity. Albeit, the location of this code and the size of is good, but you've got to make sure it at least makes sense! A QR Code explaining how to use scan a QR Code? Some of these campaigns are just hard to believe....

For more information please visit the following resources:

http://econsultancy.com/blog/10818-10-examples-of-qr-code-madness

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-of-the-worst-qr-code-fails-of-all-time-2013-3?op=1


References:

Shumack, K.A., Reilly, E. and Chamberlain, N., 2013. QR Code Mania! Strategies, 26(3), pp. 9-12.

Massis, B.E. (2011) 'QR Codes in the Library' New Library World [Online] 112, (9/10) 466-469. Available at http://Www.emeraldinsight.com/0307-4803 [Accessed 24 February 2014]