QR CODE SCANNING IS QUICKLY BECOMING A HOT DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL.

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Sam Macuga

According to a recent Mobio Identity Systems study (they developed the Mobio app for Android and IPhone), smart phone scanning of QR codes is up 1200% over just six months–July through December, 2010. And the numbers seem to be increasing at least that fast for the future. A Nielson study projects that more Americans will be using smartphones than feature phones by the end of this year.

For the promoter, here’s an easy and inexpensive way to get your promotion distributed through a totally new channel. And to a very tech-savvy crowd who wants to save money with your promotion.

The great news is that using QR codes is simple to do. Once you create a code with one of the free apps, you simply put it wherever you think your customers will most easily see and use it. It’s easily transferred to store displays and windows, newspaper and print ads, or any other creative space that will be viewed regularly. Your customers simply scan the code and retrieve the information you want them to have.

Currently, codes are best created to save customers money. The two top reasons for scanning codes, as indicated by the MGH mobile-user research, are to save money and to get more information. The current location where most mobile users are finding and scanning information is on social networks.

So, maybe it’s time to seriously consider how QR codes can help your business. Usage of this technology is very quickly moving past the early adoption phase and into the mainstream.

THE VIRTUES OF A VIRTUAL AGENCY

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Sam Macuga

Why virtual?

Having owned a traditional advertising agency prior to owning Metropia, I’d like to point to the very real benefits you get by moving to a virtual agency model.

Almost always, money is the first thing prospective clients study when considering a virtual agency. And while we agree money’s a huge attention-getter, take a look at these three, equally-important benefits:

1. No Junior Talent. Metropia’s talent pool is literally, anywhere. It’s not limited to just the staff roster of a traditional agency. By having the ability and resources to select talent by vertical experience and quality, you will get the best work possible for your brand.

2. Faster Turnaound Times. Because Metropia has multiple resources with similar experience, we are able to deliver each job in a more timely way, as we select team members by current availability. You won’t be waiting in line for agency staff members.

3. Direct Contact. Metropia doesn’t have layers of contact on your business, ever. No junior account executive will be getting back in touch. It’ll be me, Sam Macuga. The owner.

Now, let’s address your new BFF:

BIG-TIME SAVINGS. Passed right along to you.

1. Lower Overhead Costs. Because we don’t have full-time staff, we don’t have full-time staff costs to cover. No multiple salaries. No health insurance. No coffee service. No agency lunches. No agency “retreats”. No golf club memerships. You get the picture.

2. Lower Media Commissions. We charge a 10% media placement commission vs. the standard 15%. That 33% savings? It goes right to your bottom line.

3. Lower Outside Vendor Markups. The savings here get even better. We charge a 10% markup vs. anywhere between the traditional 17.65% to “name-it”. I’ve seen agency markup as high as 25%.

So. Why not give virtual a try? We work on either a project-based or retainer-based relationship. We work hard towards your success. And we’d love to get started.

Just call or email.

  • Case Studies:
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LAURA'S LEAN BEEF

CHALLENGES:

  1. Obtain trial shelf space for a relatively unknown national brand in Giant Food stores throughout the Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Richmond, VA, markets.
  2. Determine why Laura’s steak and roast products were not selling as quickly in stores as the company's ground beef products.

SOLUTIONS:

  1. Conduct focus group research with targeted demographics in Indianapolis, IN, to determine why current customers favored ground products – and the feasibility of converting them into steak and roast buyers.
  2. Piggyback on the brand equity of the American Heart Association to eliminate trial indecision.
  3. Develop a coordinated campaign of print advertising and in-store collateral to include trial couponing.

RESULTS:

Laura's branded products are now available in Giant Food, Target, and Shoppers Food stores.

GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE

CHALLENGE:

Assist with content design for the college's new website by using online research targeting students, faculty, and administrative staff.

SOLUTIONS:

Survey attitudes of users of the current website and gather information on the primary website needs of each target group. Use e-mail invitations to direct recipients to an independent survey vendor’s website, and include a bookstore credit sweepstakes to encourage participation.

RESULTS:

A set of easy-to-use guidelines was developed for the Georgia Highlands technology department – helping to make the new site both simple to navigate and information-driven.

OCCASIONS CATERERS

CHALLENGE:

Develop a one-year marketing plan to increase Occasions’ market share.

SOLUTIONS:

  1. Segment Occasions' target markets to determine their growth potentials.
  2. Conduct focus group research to determine: a.) how corporate meeting planners select their caterers, b.) how Occasions fits into this process, and c.) how planners respond to the creative approaches of competitors' advertising.
  3. Develop a multi-channel campaign – including print, direct mail, and online advertising to both consumers and planners. Cleanse the existing database, and purchase additional party and event planner names and information to maximize return.

RESULTS:

Occasions business doubled in the first year – and increased by an additional 50% during the second year.