Stamford Symphony Adds QR Codes to Program

Normally, we would be asked to turn off our mobile phones when we are watching a symphony evening performance. This is part of protocol. However, this may not be the case for people attending the Stamford Symphony on Saturday (Nov. 12) evening. Patrons of the symphony will be asked to turn their smartphones on.

At the start of the concert, Murray Martin, Chairman, President and CEO of Pitney Bowes Inc. PBI -0.05%, will be going up the stage and introduce the most recent enhancement to the Stamford Symphony’s communications strategy and its use of Quick Response codes.

Concert-goers will be seeing the two-dimensional black and white barcodes on the Symphony programs. According to Martin, the QR code will give people access to the Symphony’s messaging via mobile devices.

The invitation for the software provider to debut its newly unveiled QR codes to the public comes from Stamford Symphony CEO Barbara Soroca. Soroca believes that it is the right time to explore new communications technology and new avenues to attract fresh faces to the Symphony.

Soroca relates that mobile communications is no longer the future, but the present. She says that in this time and age of continuous communications, symphonies must utilize quick response codes to interact with audiences.

Soroca further relates that Stamford Symphony is dedicated to designing offers and providing insights that enhance the people’s symphony experience, and, ultimately, to appeal to the younger people within the community to share their expertise. By using QR codes, Stamford Symphony wishes to draw into the wonderful world of classical music.

QR codes are printed together on the summaries of each performance of the 2011-12 season. These codes are also included in advertisements, posters in the theater entrance, and direct mail campaigns. By scanning the code, viewers are taken to video interviews with Maestro Eckart Preu, to the Symphony’s website, and to a page where they can purchase tickets for an upcoming concert.

Martin says that they are excited about the impact that the QR codes will have on businesses. He says they are looking forward to working with the Symphony in order to help them communicate their messages in new ways and to help them expand interest in their programs.

QR codes really do enable businesses as well as cultural organizations to attract and interact with potential customers on top of being really valuable marketing tools!