Scan my QR?

Have you seen all those weird looking square "bar codes"? They are appearing in magazines, grocery store checkouts, even airline check in desks. They are a new way to enable the user to transfer information or go to a website and find more information. There are several competing types (Betamax v. VHS anyone!) including the TagReader and the NeoReader but both work well and are easily downloadable through the iPhone or other mobile device. It's a great way to track "read ons" in the magazine world and also a very efficient way of maximising space on a site or publication. Once you have the reader you will find yourself seeking these cool little squares and if they catch on the possibilities are endless. You can read a cool application for them here.

Print hits back...finally and too late!

It's taken a while, but finally the BIG publishers have bandied together to launch an anti electronic, pro print campaign. The ad starring Michael Phelps will be featured in magazines such as Vanity Fair and Vogue. This is strange on so many levels - Why are the media owners continuing to push the medium and not the message. Don't get me wrong I love magazines, love 'em. But the times they are a changin' and the media barons who have invested billions (literally) in electronic media and fired all the old print journalists are now seeing fit to promote the printed product. Why now? It all seems too little too late - kind of like the way the recording industry embraced iTunes - i.e., they didn't until the party was over. And why Michael Phelps? Great athlete, great Olympian, very odd poster child for the print industry. And yes we get it about swimming and surfing...hilarious. Thoughts?

New Rolex Perpetual Spirit Magazine

Perpetual Spirit, the beautiful magazine from Rolex is now at leading watch retailers.