Microsoft Tag is the newest kind of bar code that connects the real world to digital information, entertainment and interactive experiences on your mobile phone. Like QR codes, Microsoft Tags are free to create and use. The vehicles for the Microsoft Tags are the same with QR codes’: product packages, billboards, banners, brochures, Point of Purchase materials, magazines, business cards, clothing, websites…the list can go on and on and on.
What sets Microsoft Tags apart from QR codes?
The unique feature of Microsoft Tags is that these bar codes are fully customizable. You can create your Tags in black and white or colorful Tags with the default pattern- triangles or with images that represent your business or personal brand in a spectacular manner. Marketers may prefer Tags over QR codes for their product packaging as Tags visually maintain and enhance the brand identity. You can create a Microsoft Tag using a Windows Live ID. To further customize your Tag’s colors, check out Microsoft Tag’s blog for instructions.
Tags allow marketers to dynamically change the data source – unlike other 2D codes that are associated with a single, permanent URL, Tags can be updated as frequently as you like to point to new webpages, allowing you to reuse campaign materials.
Microsoft Tags promise a consistent experience: the Tag reader runs on all major phone platforms and is downloaded from a single site. Every Microsoft Tag can be scanned by the Reader, eliminating incompatibility issues. The Tag Reader overcomes limited camera phone optics, resolution and processing power to deliver a consistently high user experience across multiple devices and platform types.
The readability of Tags at different sizes allows marketers to maximize the information delivered to customers without taking up a lot of space in the printed materials.
Advanced analytics – the Tag system uses a cloud-based back-end that provides access to data that isn’t possible with earlier QR codes, such as reporting on how frequently and where your Tags are being scanned. In order to improve Tags and QR codes analytics some marketers may chose to prompt customers to enter relevant information such as: age, sex, income but taking this to a further extent would defeat the main advantage of these bar codes as communication tools – the information request should come from the customers at their own leisure, not pushed by marketers. I personally believe these bar codes should remain what they are now: a non-intrusive marketing communications tool.
For the reasons above and because I have noticed that Tags can be read faster and under a wider range of lightning conditions, I would recommend using Tags for premium packaging – I make this affirmation mainly because premium brands have to superiorly excite and deliver to its customers. These visually exciting and dynamic codes are more of what a marketer is looking for – a communication tool that can be customized to brand’s specific look and feel to enhance your message and brand.). I would also suggest their use for products meant to be consumed in public facilities such as restaurants, hotels (to avoid readability issues due to poor lightning). QR codes can be a good alternative for medium and economic brands and for inventory management or for vehicles like magazines, books, POS and POP materials etc.
Create your tag today and give Cellotape-Landmark Label the opportunity to help you decide if Tags are what you want!
Are you still doubting that Tags could enhance your brand? Allow me then to share with you a few Microsoft Tags success stories:
Zoom the Tag and Win $10,000
A Facebook app allowed the public to zoom-and-scan Microsoft Tags in “Source Code” (the movie) images for a chance to win $10,000.
“Source Code” Made Its Debut with a Mobile Tag Game
The Tag-based game was designed to replicate the film’s concept for consumers to experience.
“Si” to Tags
Italian newsmagazine Panorama is linking its physical and digital media with Tag, giving its subscribers instant access to more content.
Herbal Essences POS materials Tagged
Herbal Essences helped their consumers choose the right Herbal Essences product for their type of hair by adding more content to their shelf-talkers via Microsoft Tags.
IPhone Book Adds Interactivity with Tag
An IBook on photography provides more than 40 hours of video demos with the use of Microsoft Tags, enhancing the content of the book and offering more value to the readers.
Newspaper Uses Tag to Show Rally Video
A newspaper brought a whole new dimension to news reporting by linking a story to a video of a political rally.
Picasso and Tags
The Seattle Art Museum encouraged Picasso exhibition visitors to show their appreciation by tagging each one of Picasso’s paintings.
Business Book Adds Depth with Tag
The authors of a book on how to retool for social media allows its readers to get rich content – PDF files, tips, discussions, videos, podcasts and other resources by scanning the 22 Tags scattered throughout the book.
Dentyne Says: Practice Safe Breath
Dentyne’s new “Practice Safe Breath” campaign for Dentyne Ice leverages Tags to capture consumers’ attention as they chew gum on the go.
Credit Union Sponsors “Capture the Tag”
A Washington credit union used Microsoft Tags to create “Capture the Tag”, a fun way to promote local commerce and educate participants about finances and fraud.
Sky Vodka Tags Its Holiday Party Ideas
During the busy holiday party season, Skyy Vodka drew in customers by offering party-planning ideas and recipes through Tags placed on its print ads and store displays.
Tags in the Food Industry
Tag can be a fun way to personalize a dessert or other treat, besides offering nutritional information.
Tag Helps Bands Keep Fans Engaged
The band Blyndfold uses Microsoft Tag to link their new album to current content: videos, concert schedules and updates on their website.
Your Success Story
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