Small Screen, Big Ideas: 7 examples of how QR codes are taking the TV world by storm

Welcome to the wonderful world of QR codes. Here, your TV screen becomes a portal, a conduit, and a Willy Wonka ticket to interactive experiences that make every second of screen time even more thrilling than the last. From getting a taste of Kim K's fashion empire, to engaging in live voting during American Idol, TV has taken a quantum leap thanks to the power of these pixelated powerhouses. 

So sit back, grab your smartphone, and get ready to dive into eight of the most iconic QR code moments on TV. And never fear–no technical know-how needed. All you need is a desire to understand how QR codes are changing the TV viewing experience. 

So let’s hit pause on channel surfing, and dive right into QR codes on TV with some standout TV examples. 

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Kim Kardashian built fan relationships through her SKKN promotion 

In an effort to pioneer a new era of skincare, Kim Kardashian partnered with Flowcode. To promote her skincare line, SKKN BY KIM, she used Flowcode's renowned technology in a national TV campaign, created custom branded QR codes for pop-ups, and deployed these across Los Angeles. By scanning these QR codes, shoppers could easily access the SKKN by KIM community, providing them with early access to new launches and exclusive benefits. By effectively utilizing an omni-channel strategy, the mega-star was able to connect directly and build deeper relationships with her loyal fans, ultimately skyrocketing the success of her brand.

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Coinbase makes a touchdown at the Super Bowl 

It would be hard not to discuss QR codes on the small screen without bringing up Coinbase’s brilliant (and trendsetting) activation during the Super Bowl in 2022. You know, the TV ad that was so effective it caused the app to crash. 

The execution was elegantly simple. The 60-second commercial simply featured a colorful, bouncing QR code on the screen–reminiscent of the old bouncing DVD logo. Post-scan, users arrived at their promotional website with a $15 offer (that maybe went a little too well…). The intrigue of the code sparked over 20 million scans to Coinbase’s homepage. 

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The Jonas Brothers lit up the sky 

During the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, a highly unique marketing activation was executed–a floating QR code formed by a constellation of 350 drones. The activation was created in partnership with the Jonas Brothers and Flowcode. 

Here’s how it worked:

• The drones each represented a data point in the QR code, and were carefully arranged in the night sky to form a scannable pattern
• This QR code, when scanned, redirected users to a ticket giveaway for the Jonas Brothers' 2023 tour–generating valuable CRM data for their marketing team. 

Despite only being in the sky for 30 minutes, the Flowcode generated over 1,000 scans, and caught the attention of many pedestrians and residents in the area, generating plenty of online buzz and shares.

And yes, it was a magical sight to behold. See for yourself!

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SERHANT let QR bring them the business 

SERHANT, the most followed real estate brand in the world, teamed up with Flowcode to generate a QR code for their TV ad campaign. By adding a tiny, little QR in the corner of the screen, personally customized by our in-house design team to feature their company logo and colors, the world-recognized brand could effectively prompt viewers to scan and learn more about buying and selling their homes.

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L’Oreal capitalized on a frequent, albeit crucial, point of contact 

If TV is the small screen, then taxi TV must be..the microscreen? But before you scoff at it, consider trying it like major beauty brand L’Oreal did. Keep in mind too, this was way back in 2012–before most of the world caught onto QR’s magic.  

In a collaboration between L'Oreal and Glamour, QR codes were placed strategically in taxis with the aim of engaging passengers during traffic jams. The campaign advertised a variety of Lancôme and Yves Saint Laurent products, using the QR code-initiated videos to demonstrate product use and subsequently direct customers to the online store. As a result of this innovative approach, L'Oreal experienced an 80% surge in their app downloads!

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Ready to make an impact on TV?

While these examples helped demonstrate just how creative you can get with QR codes on TV, it doesn’t stop here. And no one knows this truth better than Flowcode. Why? Because we believe in empowering QR technology that leads the industry in user-friendliness, speed, aesthetic design, and analytics (via your Flowpage) to boot. 

But, what really sets Flowcode apart isn't just our best-in-class tech. It's our commitment to revolutionizing the way brands engage with their audiences—by transforming flat TV screens into interactive stages, where every pixel has potential and every viewer is a part of the narrative. 

With Flowcode, your TV content becomes an interactive platform where viewers can actively participate in the story. From interactive ads to gamified experiences and real-time polling, we provide the tools to unleash the full potential of your TV campaigns. 

When you choose to take the leap with Flowcode, you're not simply embracing a tool, you're partnering with a new way of thinking. A completely novel approach to bringing your TV content to life in vibrant and revolutionary ways you could’ve only imagined. 

So suit up for a thrilling expedition with Flowcode, where we help you push the boundaries of possibility and set your brand apart from the rest.