Mobile Barcodes: JagTag vs Microsoft Tag or XBOX tags vs Sexy bum tags?

I read the latest press release from JAGTAG. It starts by making a bold statement – “hot off the heels of the Microsoft announcement to incorporate 2D barcodes into its XBOX video games….. Fox Home Entertainment (FHE) is going mobile with JAGTAG, Comic-Con The cult Joss Whedon hit Dollhouse and “Miss March”.

What is going on Dollhouse?
The multifaceted Dollhouse S1 JAGTAG mobile campaign is featured in print ads, posters, and online purchase order confirmations. Users can snap a photo of the codes from the various touch-points and receive an exclusive video message from Whedon. The pre-order campaign (running for the last 2 weeks) has garnered an outstanding 40% conversion rate for consumers sending in their JAGTAG photos.

What is going on Miss March?
For the Blu-ray/DVD release of “Miss March”, FHE took the mobile campaign a step further by placing the barcodes embroidered across underwear worn by sexy models walking around the Comic-Con convention. The plan is designed to engage consumers at all levels. Fans will be able to access exclusive video content at Comic-Con via their cell phones.

From the press release:

“This campaign was a direct result of understanding the rabid fan-base that attends Comic-Con, and the ability to showcase rich video content via the mobile platform. By using JAGTAG it offers fans an opportunity to immediately engage with our product and helps in growing our mobile database,” says Mark Levien, Executive Director, Digital Marketing for FHE.

“The benefit of JAGTAG is that it has the broadest mobile reach and does not require an application to be downloaded,” says Ken Graffeo, Business Development, JAGTAG.

“We pride ourselves on utilizing cutting edge marketing technologies,” says Levien, “Partnering with JAGTAG has been extremely effective for reaching our goals.”

What we think?

This is very interesting. I love the way small player JAGTAG positions itself next to Microsoft in the start of this press release. It is ignoring UpCode, NeoMedia and ScanBuy. I think this is telling of how many start-ups view vendors such as Microsoft Tag (even though it is very new) as tougher competition than existing players.

The market for mobile barcodes is emerging rapidly and everything is being watched. Initiatives are a must and JAGTAG wants to get Microsoft’s attention with this announcement of its hit with FOX.

AND

To be honest, so it should. This is a great achievement for the company. As a HUGE Joss Whedon fan myself I love Dollhouse and I would be addicted to this barcode service. I believe the 40% conversion rate as even now I still download everything Buffy and Spike (sigh!).

Indeed, I am not so much a fan of ladies bums or Miss March –but placing the barcode on the “bum” or underwear is definitely a hit with the lads. I bet this was a bum hot deal at the convention!