This is why, on Thursday, September 1, 2011, the Texas Department of Agriculture announced that it has integrated QR Codes, making it mandatory for them to be displayed on retailers’ gas station registration. The department believes this will help them monitor those gas stations who are trying to cheat their customers.

“Through this consumer information sticker, drivers can use their Smartphone to go on site, find out the history and the information about the location that they’re filling up their car,” said Todd Staples, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture.

First you’d need to download a QR Code scanner. Then, when you get to a gas station, all you must do is pull out your Smartphone and scan the QR Code to see reviews past customers submitted about that location.  Or, if you have a bad experience, scanning the QR Code will also direct you to a site where you can leave a complaint for future customers to read.

“Fifteen million motorists in Texas can be inspectors and the eyes and ears of the Texas Department of Agriculture,” said Staples.  If there are no QR Codes to be found at the gas station, then you should call the state to report it.

Approximately 95% of gas stations abide by the rules, but for those that do not, the fines they will face have been increased substantially. Hopefully the Texas Department of Agriculture will be successful in weeding out the bad seeds.

Will you be scanning these QR Codes before you pump gas? It might be worthwhile to see what people are saying about your gas retailer.

QR codes now appear in magazines, on signs, flyers, business cards, and are useful for just about any object for which users might need additional information. Japan has been using QR codes since 1994, and with the growing popularity of QR codes overseas, they are beginning to take hold in the United States. Several studies indicate that usage of QR codes in the U.S. has increased exponentially since they were first introduced here. Sears used QR codes in their 2010 holiday Wish Book and the new annual Sears Tools Catalog is populated with QR codes as well. So how can you use this technology to promote your business? Below are a few examples of what QR codes can do for your company:

Printed Ads: Allow customers to download contact information or link to a Google Maps location.

Catalogs: Link to additional product information such as specification sheets or instructional videos, dial in directly to your sales department.

Direct Mail: Link to your website, electronic catalog, or a form to request information.

Business Cards: Provide directions to your location, a link to your website, or access to a video from you or your company.

Contact The Marion Group to learn more about using QR codes and take your marketing outreach to the next level.

With all those videos to watch, if ever there were a time to give a mediocre gift, it would be this holiday season. Your loved ones will be so engrossed in scanning the barcodes and watching the clips, he or she won’t even notice that you re-gifted the bedazzled sweater they got you last year. You may even be able to pull off the ol’ switcheroo and swap the bad gift you gave them for a better gift. Better yet, if you receive a dismal gift and someone else received an awesome one, you can secretly switch during all the distractions. Oh, the possibilities are endless!    

And while you’re out holiday shopping, keep an eye out for other QR codes. If one catches your eye, you have a chance at winning an iPod Touch or a HD Flip Camera by entering Marion’s Great QR Challenge contest!

(Disclaimer: Marion in no way condones stealing or bad gift giving…although we do have our White Elephant gift exchange tonight…but after that, stealing and bad gifts are wrong.)

The Marion Group knows who’s been naughty and who’s been nice – and our nicest Facebook fans just might find a new iPod Touch or HD Flip camera under their tree!

Are you up to the challenge? Here’s all you need to do:

1. If you haven’t already, become a fan of The Marion Group on Facebook.
2. When you’re out doing your holiday shopping, keep an eye out for QR codes.
   What’s a QR code? Check the contest FAQ and our blog.
3. Take a picture of the newest, most creative or most interesting use of a QR code you can find and post it to our Facebook wall (to the right of ‘Attach’ click ‘Photos’).
   You can also post photos to Flickr.
4. Need help finding a great QR code? Follow us on Twitter. For the next month, we’ll be posting helpful holiday QR hunting hints.

First place goes to the photo with the most Facebook “likes” (or Flickr “favorites”) when voting ends. Second place will be decided by highly trained Marion Group judges. The first place winner gets first pick of the prizes, so don’t forget to tell your friends to go like your photo!

For more info, check out the FAQ on our Facebook page. Voting ends on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, so get out there and find those QR codes!

When connected to a mobile-friendly website you maximize your chances of transforming traffic into conversions, which is the end goal after all.

Grab your smartphone and visit www.marion.com to see our mobile web design or click here to witness the Dynamic Duo in action.