QR (Quick Response) codes became all the rage last year as a new marketing tool,  once the buzz began   QR code creation jumped 1,253% in 2011, with two million of them created in less than three months.

Google’s mobile ads blog posted a study showing that “79% of smart phone consumers use their phones to help with shopping, from comparing prices, finding more product info to locating a retailer.”

QR codes are great because they are a form of new media that can be easily integrated into traditional media advertising such as print ads, pamphlets and product packaging.   You can use QR codes in a variety of ways such as:

• Adding them to mail or newspaper adds to link to a product purchase page, making it easy to purchase right from their phone.
• Set up a QR code display at your next tradeshow or event.  Rather than (or in addition to) handing out papers that may get lost or thrown away, give users the ability and incentive to immediately connect with you.
• Integrate QR codes  into your social media strategy – you can add the code for a like button on Facebook, follow on Twitter, check in with Foursquare, leave a Yelp review,  or a page that features all of  your social media profiles.
• On packaging you can include QR codes that will link to coupons, discounts or consumer reviews – increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
• QR codes are the perfect addition to your business card, you can take them directly to your website, or to a virtual business card that links to your all of your online properties.

Remember that QR codes don’t have to be the boring black and white code pictured in the image above, you can use your imagination to come up with some really eye-catching codes that grab attention and use your companies branding.

I rounded u p some of the best innovative and unique ways businesses are using QR codes to get consumers to scan their code, and boost brand awareness in the process.

Angry Birds and Instagram both created some beautiful QR codes, which take users directly to the app download page:

Here is a brilliant idea from Tesco, which created a virtual super-market in Korea to allow smartphone users to shop while waiting for train:

Here is an example from AXA, an insurance agency.  I love this idea and think that the real-estate market could adapt it to include virtual tours of homes for sale.

This company came up with a creative idea to combine QR codes, music and greeting cards to allow users to embed personalized playlists within a greeting card.  With a Spotify app, users can scan the barcode that is featured as an image on front of the card, and start streaming their personalized playlist!

In an effort to attract younger crowds, Sukiennice Museum in Poland added a new interactive feature to their art gallery.  The museum brought in actors to reenact the stories behind the paintings, which turned each painting into a series of interesting stories about insanity, intrigue, deception and more.   Visitors just need to scan the code under the painting to watch the story unfold.

Additional Statistics:

Comscore Press Release featuring data on source and demographics.

Internet Retailer posted a study highlighting interesting smartphone purchase statistics and price comparison.

Nielson’s blog posted some data on the smartphones impact on the cellphone market.

Have you came up with or heard of any innovative ways to use QR codes? Share your thoughts below!