Here’s a space that most marketers don’t think of utilizing—their business’ rooftop.
Typically marketing efforts are best seen in magazines, newspapers, billboards or places that can be viewed from ground level. Inbound marketing utilizes the tools the Internet provides. That wasn't enough for Texas firm Phillips & Company, which has set its sights a bit higher.
In a statement Wednesday, the company released a “new patent-pending marketing service that enables any business to transform its rooftop into a space-accessible billboard by integrating a dynamic QR code into the physical site, taking an aerial or satellite image from space and making it accessible in leading navigation applications like Google Earth® and Google Maps®.”
The project, dubbed ‘Blue Marble’, will be offered not only to businesses, but any city or government buildings, as well as public schools and universities who are looking to raise their profile.
Phillips said in a statement that Google Earth has been downloaded 400 million times (the official Google figure is 1 billion times) and “by integrating a readable code into the space-accessible profile, mobile users can access dynamic marketing programs, videos, digital coupons and other content while viewing the specific geographical location.”
Since Google Maps utilizes the former Earth View from Google Earth, the QR codes will also show up on the much wider-used application.
In addition to showing up on Google Maps, the tactic offers a unique opportunity for businesses in the Fox Valley area, as it is a hub for aviation enthusiasts during the summer months. The codes can be scanned with smart phones, and they should work if scanned by passing aircraft. It may present an opportunity for marketers looking to increase their visibility as our airspace becomes home to over 500,000 people during the EAA’s AirVenture.
The startup fee for the program will set you back about $8,500 plus a recurring $200 support fee, which includes creating the QR code and installing it. Marketers should also keep in mind that it will take about a year for the code to show up on Google Earth’s satellite imagery.
“Space is not just a destination – it is a platform for applications and services,” said Phillips & Company President Rich Phillips. “Our use of satellite imagery in day-to-day applications is proof that our ‘big blue marble’ called Earth is one global market accessible through the Internet, mobile phones and GPS devices. By using QR code technology, we are taking dynamic marketing to literally the next level – low-earth orbit. But the benefits are to any company on Earth that wants to optimize their real estate investment and build a marketing program that can take advantage of today’s mobile revolution.”
Topics: Search Engine Optimization, Marketing Technology, Inbound Marketing
