My Name is Kate

QR Codes in Central Park

I've been working with a client who is considering using QR codes for an upcoming campaign they have planned. So my eyes light up anytime I see an engaging use of them. I was delighted to find this program Central Park in NYC conducted last year. Last year on Arbour Day weekend, "Parkodes" (signs that looked like digital trees) took over the park where visitors could snap a pic of the QR codes to get historic pictures, replays of famous movie scenes or just more info about key areas in the park.

  

There is information available about the whole campain, The World Park, put together by Agency Magma. While I don't necessarily get engaged by the animals on Facebook, I appreciate the effort to do a fully integrated social media campaign.

h/t to Drew's Marketing Minute

FINED! Doesn't Revenue Canada Have Anything Better to Tweet?

I like it when government agencies try to use social media to help their constituents. Taking government and government services online is the only way we're going to be able to effectively start to scale citizen participation in government again.

So, I was very surprised and pleased when I discovered that Canada Revenue Agency started tweeting in February. Sadly, though, their Twitter stream is full of what I like to call "douchebaggery".

The CRA has tweeted 23 times since Feb 17, 2011. I have reviewed these tweets and they break out as follows:

• 1 - Admin-related (hey, we started tweeting!)
• 1 - Marketing (hey, we won an award)
• 5 - Minister-related (hey, Minister Ashfield is appearing)
• 8 - Tax or Agency Tip (hey, here is some helpful info)
• 8 - FINED!! (names, amounts and charges against people who didn't file some form of taxes)

I get that Revenue Canada's main purpose is to collect tax money. And I actually don't mind paying taxes. But what is happening on this Twitter stream doesn't actually make me feel delighted either about the CRA or what they are doing. Seems kinda like cranky Big Brother stream.

Surely there has to be a better way for Revenue Canada to engage with its constituency.

Also .. if I get singled out for an audit this year, you'll know why :)

 

M&M's, Awesome Canadian Places and You - Contest

OK, I'm doing a terrible job at keeping up with my blogging editorial calendar BUT I am having some fun contests.  I like this one b/c a) M&M's and b) Canada (what's not to love?!).

So, here's the deal .. the M&M's Spokescandies are traveling across Canada for the next 10 months looking for the best places in Canada to visit. Think both famous landmarks and hidden gems. And they want your help! What are the essential Canadian sites they MUST visit!?

I'm recommending a visit to Newfoundland to see the icebergs and then High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria - a real coast-to-coast adventure!

Contest Prize
A Canadiana M&M’S giveaway worth $70 - filled with various sizes and flavours of delicious M&M’S® candies, rare M&M’S® swag and the hilarious book by the Ferguson brothers – How to Be a Canadian: (Even If You Already Are One). 

How To Enter:
There are TWO ways to enter. You can do either or both (for two entries into the draw).

First Way: Go take the M&M's Canada Spokescandy Quiz on Facebook and report back which Spokescandy you are most like in the comments. I am, apparently, most like Orange (which may mean that I'm a little paranoid ...)

Second Way: Tweet your recommendation for the best place in Canada to visit. You will need to include a shout-out to the M&M's Twitter account @mmscanada AND the hashtag #CanadasBest. So it should look something like:

Recommend @mmscanada have High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria @mmscanada #CanadasBest

And THEN come back here and leave a comment with a link to your tweet in it. If you don't do this part, I can't find your entry!

Important Details

• Contest Closes Tuesday, March 15 at 5:00PM or so Pacific time. The next day I'll pick a random comment and the good folks from M&Ms Canada will send you your prize. 
• Open to Canadians only.
• If Typepad or your computer or the Internet shuts down while submitting your entry, not my fault - just try submitting it again :)
• Disclosure: Fleishman-Hillard Canada invited me to participate in this campaign. The following post is a reflection of my own personal thoughts and ideas and do not represent those of M&M's Canada. Plus they sent me some M&M's to enjoy as well.

Sound good? So get crackin'! What colour M&M are you most like? And where do you think they should absolutely visit?

Update March 17: Thanks to everyone who entered! Looks like the extra entry helped Chris as he won my random draw. As an FYI, I use random.org for my draws - what a great resource! Thanks again for participating!!