Steve Hall on December 23, 2014

 

 

 

While marketers have long argued over the usefulness (or not) of QR codes, this debate has not stopped brands from implementing the technology wherever and whenever they can. Working with Del Campo Saatchi & Saatchi, Argentinian beer brand Andes has come up with an ingenious little QR code-fueled mobile video stunt entitled “Message in a Bottle.” Bottles of Andes beer have been imprinted with QR codes which, in tandem with a downloadable mobile app, allow one to record a video and assign it to a specific bottle. The recipient scans the QR code and plays the video back. The videos live in the cloud Snapchat-style and disappear after play – which, given the fact many of these video will be made under the influence, is probably a very good thing. No one wants an upskirt or crotch grab shot floating around the internet for too long. The brand is promoting the app/QR code combo with a pair of quirky ads, one of which reveals to a son that his mother has been hooking up with his best friend…for six years.

The work is an extension of past craziness from the beer brand, which once installed soundproof “Teletransporters” in bars that would allow guys to phone their girlfriends and safely lie about their whereabouts. Another stunt, Andes Friend Recovery, involved a robot that enabled men to be at the bar with their friends while simultaneously spending time at home with their girlfriends. Yes, the brand has a serious problem with girlfriends. Then again, this is a beer brand, so perhaps we can’t expect too much from them in the way of respect!