Bradley University is believed to be the first local advertiser in central Illinois to use “Quick Response” (QR) technology on billboards. Advertisements installed at two local airports this week kick off Bradley’s ad campaign promoting the University’s Study Abroad opportunities with the use of QR messaging.
Bradley has created codes that lead users to a series of stories on the Bradley web site in which students discuss their experiences in Ireland, Denmark, England and Australia. Students traveling to other countries are expected to be added to the series. The first billboards are on display in the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport and Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington-Normal.
“This state-of-the-art communications tool gives us an interactive way to put the Bradley story and our students’ unique stories before today’s technology savvy students,” said Bradley University President Joanne Glasser. “This is an innovative way to reach out and invite students and parents to learn more about the Bradley Experience.”
Using the QR technology, Junior Lisa Janowski of Palatine, Illinois, is featured in the first billboard discussing her May interim trip to Ireland as part of a Travel Writing course. A video of Lisa talking about her experience is available on cell phones that access the QR code. Her interview may be seen at http://www.bradley.edu/m/micro/airportad/ireland/.
QR codes are a two-dimensional bar code , like those used on grocery items, that allows contents to be decoded at high speed. Mobile phone cameras with the proper applications read the codes, open a webpage, or connect to a wireless network, allowing a user to view a video or other information.
The Bradley billboards are located above an escalator on the main level of the Peoria airport and at the baggage claim area at the Bloomington airport.
QR codes have also been incorporated into the new admissions viewbook leading users to watch interviews with students discussing their varied experiences at Bradley. The viewbooks are being distributed to high school students throughout the country starting this month.