This week its all about QR codes, what they are, how to make them, and some good examples of how teams and businesses have used them. Also we discuss the latest news.

Quicktip – QR Codes

What is a QR code?

• evolution of the barcode
• 4,900 alphanumeric characters
• typically store a url, or message, or instructions for you phone to follow, like start and sms addressed to XXXXX
• error correction, why camera phone works

How to make a QR code.

• Bit.ly just add .qr to end of link – rowshow
• Google, click on details or add .qr to the end

Why? Some examples.

• Examples, Best Buy, real estate
• Jimmy Fallon – Link
• Detroit Red wings – Link
• Enhanced Signage – Link
• NBA All star test – Link
  • Shown in concourse during allstar game
  • free item, limited – 6hr promo
  • 10% of all attendees scanned QR in and visited the link

These are just a few ways to make and use QR codes, if you have a tool you like to use or have experience with one of these let us know, email us at Fans@rowshow.com or tweet us @rowshow and we’ll talk about it on the air. And thanks again to Brian Bowser at Marquette for spurring this quick tip with your tweet. Keep them coming.

News
Facebook Deals and the Golden State Warriors.  - link

• Warriors one of the first pro teams to successfully use FBD.
• Facebook approached the Warriors to beta test FBD last year.
• Warriors best asset is the players, the results are much highers when the FBD is a meet and greet compared to a discount in the team store.
• One issue they face is with checking in, they don’t own Oracle arena so they can’t claim it as their own. They’ve had to create a place called GS Warriors Home Games. According to Kyle Spencer, the biggest problem they have is getting people checked into the right place.
• They’ve offered 23 check-in deals with 17,000 total check-ins. Averaging about 740 check-ins per game, they’re very satisfied with these results.

Mobile Apps vs. Mobile Websites – Link

• 28 percent of US mobile owners have smartphones.
• The entire smart phone market grew 75 percent in 2010.
• Is budget a concern? Typically mobile websites are cheaper to design and develop than native mobile applications.
• Do you want to create a product that provides revenue? Native apps sold through stores can be sold, charging the consumer and providing revenue for your business.
• Do you need the power of a native app to serve your content?
• With a maturing market consumers will not tolerate scaled down websites or featureless applications that serve little or no purpose.
• Consumers want something that will add value or fix a problem in their day-to-day lives.
• Brands need to do their research and understand their consumer especially in the context that they’ll want to interact with your brand on their mobile device.

Value of Facebook Games – Link

• Facebook has become a valuable gaming platform.
• Zynga (“FarmVille” and “FrontierVille”) are seeing incredible market growth.  In fact, Zynga was recently valued at $10 billion, surpassing industry powerhouse Electronic Arts. Considering an IPO release in 2012.
• Boston Celtics run ‘3-Point Play,’ a Facebook game in which fans predict statistics for three separate players before each regular season Celtics game, and then receive points based on the accuracy of their predictions.
• The game itself is easy to play for casual fans, yet compelling enough to entice hardcore fans, and in exchange for providing some basic information, fans who play make themselves eligible to win Celtics tickets and prizes every game.
• You can’t rely on fans visiting your facebook page on their own, you need to give them incentives to do so. If you’re going to ask for contact info, there has to be a value exchange.

Athletes using Social Media for personal branding – Link

• Social media has changed the way athletes develop their personal brands.
• Athletes are now directly connected to fans.
• There is a transparency in the sports industry that creates unparalleled opportunity for personal brand development.
• Allows athletes to personally connect with fans like never before.
• Can also be a negative if the athlete uses social media irresponsibly.
• eOpportunity for athletes to show their true personality and allows them to gain a following of fans that may be appealing to potential sponsors.

What Sports Franchises Can Learn from Howard Stern – Link

• Howard gave running commentary on twitter during a recent showing of his autobiographical movie, Private Parts.
• Provided commentary, behind the scenes insight and bantar with his followers.
• The following night he did live commentary during the Grammys.
• Pro sports organizations should look to do something similar. Imagine Michael Jordan tweeting during a re-airing for the ‘98 NBA finals or Aaron Rodgers tweeting about what was going through his head as he hit Greg Jennings for a long pass during the Super Bowl.
• Players are starting to connect with fans on a much more personal level and will continue to find new ways of reaching their fans through social media.

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