9 QR Code Marketing Examples (+ How to Replicate Them)

Quick Response (QR) Codes have become a marketing powerhouse. You’ve probably come across them—whether scanning one to check out a restaurant menu, enter a giveaway, or return a package.

For businesses, QR Codes do more than just store links—they bridge print and digital marketing strategies to create interactive brand experiences. These versatile tools boost engagement, track campaign performance in real time, and even turn product packaging into a dynamic touchpoint.

Some of the world’s biggest brands have already mastered QR Code marketing, using it to drive sales, connect with customers, and enhance brand storytelling. In this article, we’ll explore nine real-world examples—and show you how to apply these same strategies to your business.

Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

1. Coca-Cola: Guiding consumers to interactive content

This global beverage giant needs no introduction. It has used QR Codes in numerous campaigns to market its innovative Coke Studio platform.

Coke Studio is a global marketing campaign that brings musicians from around the world for exclusive interviews, media, and performances. Its 2024 lineup included world-famous performers like Karol G, Tyla, and NewJeans, with past features from Jon Batiste, Sam Smith, Imagine Dragons, and more.

To promote Coke Studio, Coca-Cola partnered with creative technologist Troy Ni and global marketing firm WPP Open X to unveil a groundbreaking QR Code campaign. The company released five custom-designed QR Codes strategically placed in movie theaters, theme parks, and stadiums across the U.S. When scanned, they directed audiences to the “Be Who You Are (Real Magic)” music video, a Coke Studio creation featuring Jon Batiste, JID, NewJeans, and Camilo.

With bold, artistic QR Codes and a high-profile artist collaboration, Coca-Cola successfully engaged its target audience and boosted out-of-home (OOH) interactions.

Try it yourself: Echo this idea in your own campaigns by creating fun, authentic video content and promoting it with custom Video QR Codes in entertainment venues throughout your community.

2. Nike: Providing detailed product information

Nike is no stranger to QR Codes, having incorporated them into multiple campaigns in recent years.

Since 2018, many Nike Stores worldwide have featured scan-to-try technology. Customers can use their smartphones to scan a barcode on product tags to check availability and ask to try items on. Instead of searching the store for the right size or tracking down an employee, they can submit a request in the app and head to a designated pickup area.

In 2022, the brand launched its first Nike Style location in Seoul, South Korea—a concept store featuring QR Codes throughout the space. Shoppers can scan them to access digital art installations, product information, and other interactive content. Nike later expanded the concept in Shanghai, China.

Try it yourself: Use an App Store QR Code to encourage customers to download your mobile app or a Dynamic URL QR Code to direct them to your website. QR Codes help elevate retail shopping experiences by making product discovery and engagement more seamless.

3. 19 Crimes: Engaging customers with augmented reality experiences

Wine brand 19 Crimes is known for its striking labels, each featuring a mugshot of a 19th-century criminal transported from Britain to Australia. The brand enhances this storytelling by integrating QR Code augmented reality, allowing customers to unlock the unique backgrounds of these historical figures.

Shoppers can scan a QR Code on the bottle or the 19 Crimes website to download an app. Once installed, they simply hold their camera up to the wine label, which triggers a video of the criminal telling their story.

For Halloween, 19 Crimes partnered with Universal Studios to release limited-edition wines featuring Frankenstein and the Bride of Frankenstein on glow-in-the-dark labels. Fans could scan the labels via the app to bring the iconic monsters to life.

Try it yourself: Use QR Codes on wine labels or other food and beverage packaging to link to a landing page with augmented reality features, transforming your brand storytelling into an interactive experience.

4. Starbucks: Promoting the loyalty program and the app

When you look at Starbucks’ innovative marketing campaigns, it’s easy to see why the coffee chain maintained a 31.81% market share in Q4 2024. The brand doesn’t shy away from the use of QR Codes in its strategies, using them to enhance customer engagement and streamline the Starbucks Rewards experience.

One of the most notable examples is the Starbucks loyalty program. QR Codes placed throughout its brick-and-mortar locations make it easy for customers to download the app, create an account, and start earning rewards with every purchase.

In 2022, the company introduced Starbucks Odyssey, an NFT loyalty program featuring interactive games and challenges. Like their main loyalty program, it allowed customers to scan in-store QR Codes to sign up. While short-lived, Odyssey showcased how brands can use QR Codes to build unique digital communities.

Try it yourself: Use a URL QR Code or App QR Code to send customers to your loyalty program sign-up page. You can also embed a Coupon QR Code on print materials, product packaging, or webpages to simplify discount redemption.

5. McDonald’s: Leading customers to nutritional information

When you’re on the go, making informed food choices isn’t always easy—especially when tracking nutritional information means digging through menus or searching for each ingredient individually.

McDonald’s has made this process easy by adding QR Codes to its food packaging. Customers can scan the code with their mobile device to instantly access the calorie count, ingredients, and other key nutritional details for their meal.

This is just one of many QR Code campaigns McDonald’s has run over the years. In February 2024, the brand introduced an anime- and manga-themed campaign featuring QR Codes on packaging that linked to exclusive short mangas and anime episodes. McDonald’s also frequently uses QR Codes on billboards and other print marketing materials to drive digital engagement.

Try it yourself: Create a Dynamic URL QR Code that links to nutritional facts, ingredient lists, or other key product details, making essential information easily accessible to customers.

6. Miller Lite: Engaging the audience with a QR Code campaign giveaway

In 2024, Miller Lite took a unique approach to marketing by launching a wearable QR Code campaign instead of a traditional commercial. Leading up to a major football game, 1,000 fans signed up online to receive an official Miller Game Time Jersey and join the “Running of the Beers.” Each jersey featured a QR Code linking to an online giveaway page.

On game day, fans were encouraged to wear their jerseys during “beer runs,” allowing people around them to scan the code and enter Miller Lite’s promotional contests. Prizes included cash, free beer, and exclusive rewards. By opting for an interactive QR Code campaign over a TV ad, Miller Lite got football fans talking—and actively engaging with the brand.

Try it yourself: Use giveaway contest QR Codes to drive engagement for online contests, raffles, or promotions. These interactive campaigns boost brand loyalty and create a memorable customer experience.

7. Spotify: Directing users to a song, album, artist, or playlist

With 350 million subscribers, Spotify is the world’s largest music streaming platform. While its success isn’t solely due to QR Code marketing, it has played a key role in making music more accessible.

Artists worldwide use Spotify QR Codes to promote their latest tracks—whether on social media or through offline mediums like billboards and print ads. Some have taken this strategy to the next level—for example, Travis Scott generated over 80,000 impressions by displaying an aerial QR Code with drones during the Rolling Loud music festival. The code was displayed during the debut of his single “Escape Plan,” allowing attendees to instantly pre-save the song on Spotify.

Try it yourself: Create a QR Code that directs audiences to branded playlists on Spotify or other popular music apps.

8. L’Oréal: Helping customers with product information and tutorials

In the highly competitive beauty industry, L’Oréal has stayed ahead of the curve with innovative digital marketing campaigns—including QR Codes.

In 2021, the cosmetics powerhouse introduced QR Codes on products to bridge the gap between physical products and digital experiences. With a simple scan, customers could access a landing page featuring:

• Ingredient details
  
  
• Sustainability info
  
  
• Step-by-step tutorials
  
  
• Product visuals
  
  
• Customer reviews

By providing easy access to in-depth product insights, L’Oréal boosted transparency, built consumer trust, and improved the user experience.

Try it yourself: Use a Dynamic QR Code on your packaging to link to product details, video tutorials, or sustainability insights via URL—helping customers make informed buying decisions while reinforcing brand credibility.

9. Katy Perry: Accessorizing with a QR Code tattoo

Pop icon Katy Perry turned a red carpet moment into an unforgettable marketing opportunity with a temporary QR Code tattoo. Placed on her lower back, the code linked to a pre-save page for her album 143, which dropped shortly after the event. The unexpected placement quickly turned heads and became one of the most creative examples of QR Code usage we’ve seen.

Try it yourself: Print temporary QR Code tattoos for your brand events or offer them as a fun promo item with purchases.

Why QR Codes are a game-changer for marketing campaigns

QR Code marketing campaigns seamlessly extend your offline promotional initiatives into the digital space to enhance the customer experience. Here’s why they’re an effective digital marketing solution.

Versatility

QR Codes are highly versatile and fit neatly into many different types of marketing campaigns, from in-store promotions to digital experiences. With QR Code Generator PRO, you can create codes for websites, videos, app downloads, social media platforms, PDFs, and much more.

Once generated, QR Codes are the perfect addition to print marketing materials like magazine ads, business cards, billboards, or flyers. You can also integrate them into TV ads or other digital outlets to expand your reach and engage audiences wherever they are.

Customization

QR Codes are fully customizable, allowing you to adjust colors, shapes, and borders to align with your brand’s visual identity. You can even add a logo for credibility or a call to action (CTA) to encourage more scans. After bringing your QR Code design ideas to life, you can download them as a JPG, EPS, SVG, or PNG file to use in your marketing assets.

With QR Code Generator PRO, you can create Dynamic QR Codes that let you update the linked content at any time—eliminating the need to generate a new code or reprint materials when making updates.

Data analytics

QR Code Generator PRO offers QR Code tracking, unlocking real-time insights into audience behavior and preferences. For Dynamic QR Codes, you can monitor scan activity, track location at the country and city level, and gain insights into what types of devices and browsers your audience is using for a more detailed view of campaign performance and reach.

Get started with QR Codes in your marketing campaigns today

Just when it seems like QR Codes have reached their full potential, brands continue to push the boundaries of what they can achieve. From enhancing customer engagement to tracking campaign performance, QR Codes have become a staple in marketing efforts across industries, proving their value time and time again.

Want to take your marketing to the next level? With QR Code Generator PRO, you can create Dynamic, custom QR Codes that seamlessly integrate into your marketing campaigns. Track real-time engagement, optimize performance using valuable metrics, and connect with your target audience in more meaningful ways.

Sign up for QR Code Generator PRO today and start building interactive, high-impact QR Code campaigns.