1. QR Codes By Megan Chopay

2. What are they? Specific barcodes readable by scanners or camera phones (short for quick response). Encode information from a two-dimensional space, such as magazines, advertisements, television and websites. Developed in Japan to track auto parts but have become popular for commercial use.

3. How to use them? Made for quickly and easily linking content on Smartphones. Most Android phones and Blackberries are able to read the codes right out of the box. For iPhones, the App Store offers a free QRReader. Creating your own QR Code: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

4. Where you may have seen them

5. 2011 Grammy Campaign “Music is Life is Music” QR Code on all print material and outdoor advertisements Unlocks exclusive Grammy content via codes specific to your location. Content includes: Eight full past Grammy performances Allows users to see all the tags associated with a space when they enter a location — so, if you were to visit the record store, you would be presented with all the other tags associated with the location

6. Strengths/Opportunities Direct link to web page that delivers company or product information Ability to measure number of page views QR format can support a large amount of content Simple to use and easy to place for publicity, marketing and advertising purposes Provide consumers with exclusive content Appeal to a younger more tech-savvy demographic

7. Weaknesses/Threats Users must be equipped with a camera phone and the correct reader software, which is currently only available on Smartphone's Limited reach because many people don’t know how to use them Can’t directly track number of people who scan a QR code Consumers don’t know what they’re getting once they access the QR code, so it will not always be utilized

8. Sources QR-Code Generator. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://qrcode.kaywa.com/.> About 2D Code | QR Code.com. Bar Code to 2D Code. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/aboutqr-e.html>. Music Is Life Is Music. GRAMMY.com The Official Site of Music's Biggest Night. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.grammy.com/news/music-is-life-is-music>. QRcode.com. About QR Code. Web. 07 Mar. 2011. <http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/index-e.html>.