bieMEDIA Predicts the End of the QR Code

Invests in Edinburgh-based Mobile Acuity to Offer "Point and Shoot" Mobile Commerce

Tesco and Others Sign Major Mobile Visual Search Deals

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Jan 24, 2012, 09:00 ET

DENVER, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- bieMEDIA, an online marketing and media solutions company, is predicting the end of the QR Code. The short-lived and soon-to-be-antiquated "Quick Response" codes will be replaced with mobile visual search, which provides consumers with faster, more convenient and compelling, interactive marketing experiences.

Cementing its commitment to this technology, bieMEDIA has made a significant investment in Edinburgh, Scotland-based Mobile Acuity, the leader in mobile visual search applications for retailers and interactive campaigns using Visual Interactivity™ for brands and agencies. This transaction, which makes bieMEDIA Mobile Acuity's largest shareholder, adds a host of new mobile visual search capabilities to bieMEDIA's suite of technical marketing solutions for video, web and mobile, and will provide even more touch points for consumers to be engaged with brands and products.

"QR Codes were introduced as a quick extension to modernize the bar code," says bieMEDIA CEO Jon Barocas. "The issue is that these 'squares' take up valuable real estate on a business' marketing collateral or even act as an eye sore to the storefront. With our investment in Mobile Acuity, we're able to get straight to the point – just point at the product, shoot a picture and you'll receive all the information you're looking for and even be able to buy the product on the spot. Coupled with bieMEDIA's extensive video experience, we're now able to offer a new, more interactive and engaging experience."

Mobile "Point, Shoot, Buy" In Action

Global retailer Tesco PLC has committed to working in partnership with Mobile Acuity to trial its mobile visual search application to further improve mobile discovery in-store, at point of sale and while on-the-go. Instead of scanning a barcode, consumers will be able to simply point their mobile phone camera at products to add automatically to their basket, or get further information prior to making a purchase decision.

This new mobile shopping innovation is also in play with a major music retailer, which is using the platform to add visual search capabilities to its products. At the retail store, consumers can use a smartphone to listen to albums in-store at any 7digital mobile listening post and even purchase on demand. Consumers can also buy any albums in the 7digital music catalog on demand, outside of the retail location, such as at a friend's home, posters, billboards or other visual advertising. With the "Point, Shoot, Buy" approach to mobile commerce, consumers can make purchases anytime or anywhere the album cover images are visible.

About bieMEDIA

For the past 20 years, bieMEDIA has revolutionized its client's brands online. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, with offices in New York and Paris, the online marketing and media solutions company is a single-source partner for the delivery of every online marketing solution necessary for businesses to be successful in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape.

With its full suite of turn-key solutions for video, web and mobile production, distribution, hosting/CDN, video platform technology, metrics and performance analytics, website creation, mobile websites, social forum profile fulfillments and account management system solutions, bieMEDIA is continuously innovating and driving real engagement opportunities and maximum impact for its clients. For more information, visit www.biemedia.com.

SOURCE bieMEDIA