QR Tech Alert: SnapTags Become Fashionable

by Harris Cohen, the PromoGuru

You may have seen QR Codes and Microsoft Tags here and there in print magazine ads. But fashion magazine Glamour is looking to ratchet up mobile tagging in print media with their fall fashion issue. The magazine has partnered with Facebook to add “SnapTags” to the cover and inside ad pages of their September edition. Readers with smartphones will scan the SnapTags and be encouraged to “Like” either Glamour’s or a relevant advertiser’s Facebook page.

A Quick Boost, For You and Your Handheld

by Harris Cohen, The PromoGuru

Vitaminwater is looking to give a refreshing energy boost to more than just your body. Through ad agency Crispin Porter and Bogusky, the enhanced water drink company is integrating real, functional USB ports in their bus stop ads in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

The idea is to let riders charge their handheld devices while they wait for the bus. The ads are part of the Vitaminwater's 'You're Up' campaign, highlighting its message that the drink is formulated to give you a quick boost when you are on the go.

It’s an awesome idea…if we can get everyone to respect it. The line for the bus could become the line for the free charger (there do appear to be three slots). And hopefully some wisenheimer doesn’t stick their chewing gum in the slot.

Will the other energy drinks follow suit? Maybe 5-Hour Energy will set up a USB-capable subway ad, asking if your tablet needs to beat that 2:30 feeling!

Life Beyond the Known Domains

by Harris Cohen, The PromoGuru

The global agency that assigns Internet addresses, the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (or ICANN), loosened its guidelines earlier this week and will now allow domain suffixes to be named after just about anything.

Maybe this news is not quite as science fiction-y as our article title would suggest, but it certainly opens website owners to new possibilities. It’s possibly the biggest change to the Internet system since its start in 1984.