UpCode steps up a gear with new unique GossRSVP mobile barcode service

by: Bena Roberts Wednesday, August 27th, 2008

Now, I don’t want to like this – but I do! It is a print media interactive campaign for publishers and advertisers. It is managed by GossRSVP with UpCode codes and basically anyone can run a mobile barcode campaign or engage barcodes in print media.

Why don’t I want to like it?

Because it’s a bit too easy and there are not enough readers on devices and lots of handsets still don’t support good quality readers.

But – it is so simple and easy – I am tempted to sign up myself.

Take a look at this: http://www.gossrsvp.com - how easy is that?

From the press release

“The mobile phone is evolving as the personal communication tool,” explains Toby Clarke, vice president for Goss International. “The GossRSVP program links this technology with print, enhancing the already high ROI value of print by making it more interactive.” Small GossRSVP 2-D bar codes and alpha-numeric sequences can now be included in printed materials. The codes prompt cell phone users to simply send them via text message or to scan and send them to receive electronic coupons, enter contests, participate in loyalty programs, answer surveys or request additional information that can be sent directly to their phones.

Advertisers can control or alter the responses dynamically and offer mobile phone users opportunities to “opt in” for future communications such as text alerts.

“The mobile phone interactions and response data are managed by our infrastructure, and our cost model is based primarily on utilization, similar to clicks through for Internet advertising,” Clarke explains. “This makes getting started with the GossRSVP program a scalable low-cost and low-risk proposition for advertisers or publishers of any size.”

What we think?
I just went through the whole RSVP site and it looks as though there is no push to download the reader or scanner. SMS remains the main driver of this. This will target users without camera phones and also SMS doesn’t need to be taught (scanning to view, on a mobile device does).

But – I am not going to shout this out as I have had a great idea for this service in the light of SEO. There is something very noticeable about the campaign and the barcodes that can be manipulated effectively to drive extra-traffic to the publisher. I will test it a few times and see if it works before I just declare it now – and might have to eat my hat.

But – back to the RSVP – simple, fast and easy. I love the idea and this really makes mobile barcode advertising UBER accessible.