AdWonder Blog

I had thought about making mention of QR Codes in my 2008 outlook post, but six seemed like random number of predictions.

Anyways, I just read a little article on MarketingVox talking about Google incorporating QR Codes into print ads, allowing for further measurability and quicker access to additional information for the consumer.

QR Codes are bar codes that store information (usually a website URL) and are accessible via a camera phone. They’ve been around since the mid-90s and have had some success in Asia and Western über-geek circles. The codes can be “read” from print or online. With over 50% of US cellphones having a camera phone, I would imagine we will see a rich media campaign utilizing QR Codes by the end of the year.

The QR Code to the right links to UnleashTheWonder.com.

I first heard about QR Codes during a session led by Aral Balkan at last year’s FITC Toronto. He talked about using QR Codes for SWX RPC much of it went over my head as I thought about the marketing possibilities of using a QR Code. Contests where the users collect information in the online and offline world leading them to a prize, a simple coupon made just for your cell phone that can be viewed simply by taking a quick picture of a rich media banner (or print) ad, or way to drive traffic and awareness of a mobile site by encouraging the user to snap and click.I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea, but am excited to see what you (smart marketers) come up with and look forward to working with you.

Other cool things that I am excited about and expect to see this year:

• new Papervision 3D ads (expect to 360° video, check this out and imagine the user/brand experience if done right)
• live video (where it is actually relevant and apparent to the user)
• and lots more, but I will get some folks upset if I mention it before it goes live!

UPDATE: I received an email from Roger, who manages a webzine all about QR Codes and two-dimensional bar codes: http://2d-code.co.uks. Very cool indeed!

What’s better this time of year than trying to find a parking spot at the mall or waking up at 5 am to get a Wii for that special someone? A list looking forward to the new year, of course!

So here are a few things that I am excited about next year:

1. Widgets - with the release of our SocialWonder offering, advertisers and agencies have more opportunities to think outside of the standard banner ad placement for rich display advertising. Empowering users interested in becoming part of the conversation on their own terms, by opting in to a rich media widget allow the user to profess their affinity for the brand, product or promotion. Expect to see agencies and advertisers rethinking what they offer users through their online advertising in terms of rewards and growing the evangelists for the brand.
2. In-Stream - it was not that long ago EyeWonder announced our In Stream 2.0 Research Initiative with a focus on identify what works in the In-Stream space. Regardless of the preconceived notion of pre-roll, we decided we could take an academic approach to analyzing all of the various types of In-Stream ads, which include the pre, post and mid-rolls, bugs, tickers, and other overlay ad formats. Look out for some of the initial data in 2008 to not only learn what works, but also what we have learned regarding the process of executing In-Stream ads for some of the world’s top agencies and brands across many of the preeminent online video content destinations.
3. Longer Form Content - Users will continue to snack on different pieces of content that is educational and/or entertaining, but there is still more to video content in rich media banner ads than :15, :30 or :60 seconds. We saw lots of success with campaigns like The Police, where users went crazy eating up the full length music videos and audio tracks. With DRM protection in place (like Adobe’s Flash Media Rights Management System, which we use in our EpicWonder offering) content owners can rest easy knowing they have control of their content and can reward users with a lean back experience via a banner ad. Expect to see more executions from the entertainment industry (the others will follow) with content users will not mind spending the time to sit down and have a full meal versus just a quick snack.
4. Synchronization - this year we saw a huge explosion in more synced banners than all previous years combined. Part of this was due to technology enhancements, but I think this was able to truly happen because the creative team started working closer with the media team to be able to come up with the idea, plan and execute together. With more active cooperation between these teams and the constant advances in technology, you can plan to no longer see dueling rich media executions on the page, but banners that perform on the page in perfect synchronicity.
5. Creativity Marrying Efficiency - Looking back to a year ago, it amazes me the improvements that have occurred in the space since we were able to get creativity and efficiency in a room together and sparks flew. Over the past year we have almost tripled in head count with much of the additional staffing focused in our operations and support teams. Getting this many experts and super smart people hired and trained is no easy feat, but it has allowed EyeWonder to continue offer the level of service we have come to be known by in the industry. Its no wonder that with our dedicated campaign teams we are constantly growing our existing agency and publisher partnerships, while finding new groups who are new to the rich media space or new to a commitment to service excellence and innovation through technology that we offer. Not only are we hard at work on future releases of much lauded AdWonder Flash Component (many of the enhances coming from the AdWonder users directly which is awesome) there are additional product and feature offerings on the horizon. Next year there will be even more time saved in executing the outside the box ideas in inside the box timelines with agencies pushing limits of what was deemed impossible.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2008.