Comments on: Credit Union Toys with Microsoft Tag Tech in $15,000 Scavenger Hunt

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:09:41 +0000

OBee Credit Union says it plans on repeating the "Capture the Tag" contest in 2012:

By: peter jacobs

peter jacobs — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:37:09 +0000

If you are looking for a low cost way to explore mobile marketing and QR codes, Shark Communications has just launched Mob2Go.net.
It’s inexpensive but state-of-the-art. Thanks for reading this shameless plug.

By: Trent Mason

Trent Mason — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:03:41 +0000

I forgot to add that with MS Tag Reader on the iPhone, people shouldnt have problems using MS Tags. I just wish Micrsoft would help get the word out there better.
Editor, thanks for telling me about Amazing Money Maze. What a concept!

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:37:24 +0000

You're right Trent. Obee is indeed a very scrappy credit union. Back in 2008, The Financial Brand wrote about their "Amazing Money Maze," a huge financial literacy maze carved out of a cornfield. It's impressive, experiential non-traditional marketing.

By: Trent Mason

Trent Mason — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 16:26:58 +0000

O Bee; more like “Oh Bay-bee!” I love that they did this because I have been thinking of how to use MS Tags for a year and a half and they have gone and done it in a really cool way! I agree with TFB on the analysis and I worry about how complex it can be and how MS Tags are not quite as popular (yet). This was a very fair look at the campaign and it certainly has many exciting elements and here’s hoping that what they need will fall into harmony in the mind of the consumer. I for one think it is pretty sweet.

I like that you called them scrappy too. You are right! It’s awesome to see a small but mighty CU push new tech and all the partnerships in the campaign show a lot of intelligent work on their part. They are trying something very progressive and I admire them for that.

I find myself using QR codes more and more, and with the Windows Phone push, MS Tags will likely gain popularity. But will it be in the timeframe the Credit Union hopes? The campaign certainly is already getting attention, so it might be doing just what they wanted! I will watch this closely and I bet others will too. In fact (you heard it here first folks), I hear that Fiserv Galaxy gave consideration to a similar idea about a year ago… that shows that O Bee is ahead of their time and runnin’ with the Big Dogs.

Am I the only one, but wouldn’t it be cool to see O Bee tie this into a Star Wars Jedi themed spin-off? Something like “Need help with your finances? Our Kenobi contest is your only hope!” Then again, the royalties they would have to pay Lucas would be insane. Just ask Motorola!

Cool story. Cool idea. Cool credit union.