Our spring open house yesterday was a great event. As promised here’s the power point presentation of the seminar “Getting to the Top of Google!”.

Thank you for everyone in attendance!

Here’s the SEO Presentation on How to get to the top of Google!

In this corner, wearing the square trunks with black and white trim, the current mobile weight champion of the world, QR Codes! The challenger, hailing from the halls of SpyderLynk in Denver, CO & wearing circular trunks with logo branding, SnapTags!

While maybe not so dramatic as that of a heavyweight boxing match, there is a new contender in the world of mobile marketing with its eye on taking QR Codes down for the count. SnapTags are the creation of SpyderLynk as a new method of delivering a richer mobile marketing experience to consumers through the use of targeted marketing initiatives. Before we dive into the details, lets get a little background on just what QR Codes are.

A Brief History of QR Codes

Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) were first developed and used by a Toyota subsidiary, Denso Wave, back in the early 90’s to track vehicle production during the manufacturing process. It is a matrix style barcode that consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of any kind of data (e.g., binary, alphanumeric, or Kanji symbols).

Since its creation, it has been used as a tracking method for shipping companies like FedEx and UPS and more recently has been adopted as means for mobile consumers to quickly and easily access large amounts of information without needing to access a desktop computer. There ability to store large amounts of information has made them very attractive as a means of viral marketing.

Now that we know a little bit about QR Codes, lets see how the challenger stands up in this head to head competition.

Round 1 – The Visual Appeal

Various examples of QR Code use in marketing campaigns

QR Codes don’t really do much for the eye when it comes to aesthetics. On their own, they are nothing more than a series of black and white squares that leaves little. When used creatively, however, QR Codes can become more apart of the visual style of a marketing campaign as opposed to sticking out like a sore thumb.

SnapTags seem to have the visual appeal factor in their corner from the start. Consisting of a circle with white dots and the ability to have a company/campaign logo or other visual element in the center, the SnapTag is able to vary in size, shape and color to meet the needs of the design. The one downside I have noticed is that a white background around the SnapTag is still needed for implementation. It is possible in the future this will change, but for now it still allows for detraction from the overall look of the campaign.

Round Winner: DRAW

Round 2 – The Functionality Factor

A comparison of the abilities of SnapTags and QR Codes. Image from SpyderLynk's website.

One of the advantages of QR Codes is their ability to compress a large amount of information into its small size for scanning. There are different sizes of QR Codes available for use that can hold varying amounts of information, depending on your campaigns needs. The other side of this coin, however, is that in order to take advantage of a QR Code, the consumer must have a smart phone. Not only that, they must have a QR Code reader app installed on their phone to read the code. For some, this is seen as a limitation to the use and viability of QR Codes in mobile marketing because you aren’t reaching as broad a market as possible. However, this can also work to your advantage because you can target those consumers with smart phones with special deals and incentives if they do scan your code.

When it comes to SnapTags, they function in a similar way in that the white dots placed around the circle of the tag can be placed in millions of unique ways in order to link the consumer to specific offers and information. Along with this, the tags can be setup to allow users to automatically LIKE  or FOLLOW a persons or company’s Facebook or Twitter page. This creates an opportunity to allow for very specifically targeted campaigns that reward consumers who use the SnapTags to get content. The best part about SnapTags is that anyone with a phone that has a camera in it can take advantage of them. By using your phone’s camera to snap a picture of the SnapTag, you can text that picture to a number that will then send a text message via SMS or MMS to the user with information of the campaign associated with that tag. Smart Phone users also have the option of using a SnapTag reader app (currently only available for iOS phones) to take advantage of SnapTags. By not limiting itself to needing an app to read the it, SnapTags create a much more accessible mobile user based that can access your marketing campaign.

Round Winner: SnapTags

Round 3 – The Cost of Use

Since their first use in the early 90’s, QR Codes have been free of any license so they are able to be used by anyone using QR Code Generators available via the web.

SnapTags are the creation of a private company, SpyderLynk, and come at a price. At time of writing, there is no standard price for use as the creation and implementation of SnapTags must be done through SpyderLynk. While this does create an extra cost, it comes down to whether or not that cost is worth it to be able to access a broad base of mobile users.

Round Winner: QR Codes

In the end…

QR Codes have been in use for almost two decades now and while they have only recently caught the eye of the public as a means of mobile marketing, it has stood the test of time and is used by many industries as a proven method of storing scanable information. While SnapTags are new and provide some advantages of QR Codes, I am of the opinion that it will be some time before they catch on as an industry standard for mobile marketing.

Starting last Tuesday, Facebook began introducing some new features to help them stay ahead of Twitter and Google+. There’s a lot of controversy as to if these changes are good or bad. Instead of joining that debate, we thought it might be better to provide a non-biased description of what has changed.

• “Subscribe” Button
  • Very much like Twitter’s “Follow” feature; allows you to keep tabs on certain friends more than others.
• News Ticker
  • Similar to the Timeline on Twitter, showing a live feed of updates. This lets users see their friend’s posts as they happen.
    
• Friend Filters
  • Similar to Circles on the somewhat new Google+, helps users organize their friends news feeds based on these filters.
• Larger Pictures
  • Thumbnail pictures on the news feed are larger, and shown in a block of three making them easier to see and more visually appealing.
• “Top Stories”
  • A small, blue indicator is put in the corner of the posts that Facebook thinks will be most interesting to you, personalizing the news feed.
  • Facebook has also stated that they are going to manipulate the feeds to show you what they think is most relevant to what you want to see based off your past browsing trends.
• “Timeline”
  • A more efficient way to share and display older posts, keeping them from falling off your wall forever. More to come on this in future posts.
  • Follow this link for more information on the Facebook Timeline.

The importance of these changes is that the Facebook has not stopped working on their product. Facebook is trying to make the user’s experience better every time they log in, and these changes are designed to do just that.

Follow this link for official information on the Facebook Changes.

Earlier today Xerox installed the state-of-the-art Xerox iGen4 Digital Press in our production facility. Millennium Marketing is exclusively the first in our region to offer both the matte toner technology and the ability to digitally print up to 14.33” x 26” sheet.. This is the latest generation of digital presses providing hands down the best digital printing quality.

Benefits Include:

• Largest sheet size in its class: Ability to produce multi-up jobs on a 14.33” x 26” sheet of paper.
• Speed: Print at 110 prints per minute, assuring that Millennium Marketing Solutions will be the fastest printer in the region.
• Vibrant Image Quality: Rivals offset printing and ensures consistent, high definition color images.
  
• Environmental Footprint: Reduces Millennium Marketing Solutions environmental footprint by printing with non-toxic dry inks, minimized waste, and 97% recyclable components.
• Quick Turn: Short-run or on demand printing of books, collateral, brochures and point of purchase material.
• Personalization: Ability to produce variable data pieces allowing projects to per personalized per their target audience.

If you’d like to have your next print project produced on the latest & greatest technology.  Make sure you contact a team member at Millennium Marketing Solutions to learn how the IGen4 can work for you.

Follow this link for additional photos from today’s install

Follow this link to learn more information on the Xerox iGen4

That’s right, the USPS is officially offering additional postage savings for direct mail pieces that display a Quick Response code on the outside of the mail piece. The limited time promotion provides a 3% discount to already discounted bulk mail.

According to Tom Foti, Manager of Marketing Mail; This is in an effort to prove that integrated marketing using both traditional techniques combined with new technology provides the best results.

The promotion will only run during July and August so give us a call today to help setup your next direct mail campaign.

For more information the official USPS press release can be found here:

For more about QR Codes check out our Mobile Tagging page or our previous blog on QR Codes.

If you’ve attended any of our seminars lately, I’m sure you heard me speak about mobile tags and most recently, Near Field Communication (NFC). Well, it looks like this new technology is about to come to fruition as Google announces Google Wallet.

What is Near Field Communication? It’s a new technology that allows consumers to make purchase by phone. Whether you’re looking to buy groceries or pay bus fare, you’ll no longer have to carry around a wallet or credit cards – you’ll be able to make all of your purchases with your smart phone.

Google’s plan is to literally replace your wallet.  No longer will you have a need for cash or plastic, with one swipe of your phone you’ll be able to complete your transactions and have less to carry around with you.  Initially it appears that Google will roll-out their new product in the New York & San Francisco markets, eventually making it available nationally.

Near Field Communication has other benefits as well.  Since it operates on a radio frequency, consumers will be able to receive product information as they pass by a sensor in a store.  Also, smart phones will be used as electronic keys and for mobile ticketing too.  Imagine – not having to worry about loosing your keys or a concert ticket… just don’t loose your phone.

So tell us what you think.  I know we all worry that we’ll loose our keys or our wallet will get stolen…. do you think we’re opening ourselves up for too much risk?  I don’t – I’m looking forward to it.

Annapolis Junction, Maryland; April 26, 2011- Millennium Marketing Solutions is

excited to introduce Michael Romeo as a new Marketing Consultant.

Millennium is excited to bring Michael to the team, who brings several years of marketing experience and a new outlook on the industry.Michael’s past experience includes marketing, print, promotional and signage solutions to meeting, event and trade show planning. With a belief that a professional and amiable relationship are the keys to critical success of any campaign, Michael is sure to bring Millennium’s clients to the next level of promotion that works best for their businesses.

As a full-service integrated marketing company, Millennium is an industry leader. From creating corporate identities and brochures to implementing direct mail, website and social media campaigns, Millennium provides innovative marketing solutions to companies and organizations of all sizes.

For more information about Millennium Marketing Solutions visit our website, www.mm4solutions.com.

Earth day is around the corner and you’re doing the best you can at greening your products, from recycled paper and soy-based inks to renewable energy sources. But are you advertising your efforts? Promoting your eco-friendly decisions, shares your certifications and marketing messages by enhancing your overall image, and the best thing, simply by utilizing many green products, you can include eco-logos on many of your marketing pieces. Continue reading for specifics and details!

These are a few of hundreds of logos available. Not sure if you can use them, work with us to find out or contact the organizations yourself!

• When you purchase recycled paper and envelopes, you can print the recycled paper symbol directly onto your projects to promote the environmental qualities of the paper. Recycled paper is considered less harmful to the environment because less virgin fiber is used, thereby reducing tree harvesting, water usage, energy consumption, emission of greenhouse gases and pollution
  
• When you purchase Green Seal-certified paper and envelopes, you can print the Green Seal logo directly onto your project to promote the environmental qualities of the paper. Green Seal papers and envelopes certified to the GS-7 Printing and Writing Paper Standard are either: A. manufactured with a minimum of 30% post consumer waste (PCW), or B. manufactured without chlorine or chlorine derivatives.
  
• When you print with soy ink, you can print the Soy Ink logo directly onto your project to promote the environmental qualities of printing. Printing with soy ink is considered more beneficial for the environment because the ink is: low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), safe, sustainable, made from a renewable resource and more easily stripped from paper during the de-inking and recycling process.
  
• When you purchase paper certified Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) or Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) by the Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA), you can print the respective logo directly onto your project to promote the environmental qualities of the paper.
  

With these great logos you maximize your environmental message. And, we here at Millennium support green design practices and are happy to provide guidance for your eco-logo usage.

Thinking of other ways to go green, check out our green promo products and other eco-friendly marketing!

If you haven’t heard – postage is increasing on April 17, 2011, but here are Millennium’s Top 3 Ways to upgrade and save!

1. Change Shape – Choose over sized post cards, funky colors or even going classic with envelopes can increase your response rate.
2. Edit! – When’s the last time you reviewed your list? Whether it’s having our systems make sure your list is up to date or going through and weeding out those unresponsive targets, editing your contact list is guaranteed to save you money.
3. Variable Data – Increase your direct mail success with added personalization, from pURLs to unique graphics, every last detail of your post card can be personalized and are guaranteed to increase your response rate.

Still concerned about postage prices? Read on to here the full price increases and more!

New USPS Guidelines: Single-piece, 1-ounce First-Class letters will remain 44 cents with additional ounces increased to 20 cents. The price for mailing a postcard will increase one cent. The overall increase is capped at 1.741 percent—at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Prices for other mailing services, including Standard Mail, Periodicals, Package Services, and Extra Services, also will change. Business mailers will see price increases in a variety of categories.

For full listings visit: www.usps.com/prices

Click for examples of Millennium’s email services, mailing options, and print services.

Annapolis Junction, Maryland; March 15, 2011- Millennium Marketing Solutions is excited to introduce Patty Lewis as a new Marketing Consultant.

Millennium’s great new asset, Patty, has over fifteen years of experience in the sales, marketing and promotional fields. Former owner of Premier Marketing, Patty has teamed up with Millennium to provide her previous and new clients a more broad range of marketing solutions. Patty’s involvement in business community activities, as well as non-profit organizations, has instilled an expertise in unique and traditional marketing tactics that work for their businesses.

As a full-service integrated marketing company, Millennium is an industry leader. From creating corporate identities and brochures to implementing direct mail, website and social media campaigns, Millennium provides innovative marketing solutions to companies and organizations of all sizes.