NFC (Near Field Communication) technology has been around for over a decade, and many of its uses are still unexplored.
NFC technology is very useful for marketing, yet many businesses do not know it and are unaware of the advantages of NFC marketing. Big brands keep looking for new ways to use cost-effective NFC technology to its full potential.
My question is simple: “How much do you use your phone?”
You do not need to answer. We all use it “a lot”.
That makes the smartphone one of the largest and fastest-growing markets in the world.
What you might not know is that most smartphones have NFC (Near Field Communication) technology inside, so NFC has grown along with smartphones.
People are now so used to their smartphones that they start the day with its alarm and ride transit with contactless tickets on their NFC-enabled phones.
The remaining worry is the security of the personal data stored on NFC devices. NFC helps here, because it works only at very short range, which makes it hard for anyone to intercept the data.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About NFC for Asset Tracking
NFC-enabled devices such as smartphones are now in the hands of a large share of the world’s population.
There are many uses and innovative ideas for NFC technology, and a few of them have truly set the trend.
8 Innovative and Unique Ideas for Using NFC Technology
1. Telstar 2018 World Cup Ball
The Adidas Telstar match ball used at the 2018 World Cup had a microchip inside it. NFC technology lets devices exchange data, and in this case, tapping the ball with an NFC-enabled smartphone opened Adidas content on the phone.
The chip was located at the top of the ball. The phone received information from the tag and opened the Telstar 18 experience.
It offered features ranging from exclusive product information to Adidas football content. It also offered special competitions and challenges, where you could film yourself, upload the video and win a chance to go to the World Cup.
2. Lego Dimensions Game
On September 27, 2015, Warner Bros. and The Lego Group made history by launching Lego Dimensions. The game brought together physical Lego pieces featuring signature minifigure characters from shows and movies such as Harry Potter, Batman, Ninjago and The Lord of the Rings.
Moving the characters around the game’s toy pad opened up special parts of the game, such as power boosts or puzzles. It became a new way for families to play Lego together, a smart gaming system built on kids’ imagination.
3. L’Oréal UV Sensor
L’Oréal is a global beauty brand recognized everywhere. It launched its first commercial sunscreen product in 1935, and building on that long commitment to sun safety, it introduced a new product in 2018.
It was a battery-free wearable electronic UV sensor that tells people their ultraviolet (UV) exposure levels. You can wear the NFC-enabled sensor on your fingernail, put it on your watch or attach it to your sunglasses.
The user connects the sensor to its companion app and takes a skin type test, then wears the sensor to track UV exposure through the day.
4. Samsung Ad Campaign With Smart NFC Posters
Samsung used NFC technology in smart NFC posters and in Samsung Pay. Through these posters, Samsung raised awareness of its products and its brand.
Also Read: 7 Major Sectors Using RFID Technology for Asset Management
5. NFC-Embedded Print Ads by Lexus
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, used NFC technology in print advertisements when it ran car ads in Wired magazine. Readers could tap the NFC label attached to the ad to open the carmaker’s new app suite.
6. Find the Closest KFC Outlet With Smart NFC Posters
KFC also used NFC technology, launching NFC-based advertisements in the UK. The aim was to promote KFC’s “Hot Shots Meal Box”. The posters were placed in highly visible outdoor locations, and a tap led to a map with directions to the closest KFC outlet.
7. Straight to Ralph Lauren’s New Launches With Smart NFC Posters
Ralph Lauren promoted its Polo Ralph Lauren line in London with smart NFC posters on display at Harrods, the luxury department store. The posters gave customers a map of Harrods to help them find the Ralph Lauren section in the store.
8. Adidas “Tap to Learn” With NFC Tags on Shoes
Keeping up with the trend, Adidas also put NFC tags on its running shoe range. The idea was “tap and learn about the product”, as an NFC marketing strategy. The product information reached customers through the NFC tags.
The campaign aimed to attract athletes and sports fans with NFC-enabled smartphones to buy the shoes.
Other Advantages of NFC Technology
NFC-based asset tracking - An NFC tag is attached to each asset, and its information is read with an NFC-enabled phone.
With NFC, you can record which asset was scanned, who scanned it, and where and when the scan happened.
Advantages of NFC in asset tracking:
- You can scan NFC tags with mobile devices
- It supports two-way communication
- It works at close range, within a few centimeters
- It scans one NFC tag at a time
Where NFC Technology Is Heading
NFC technology has become one of the most effective technologies for customer engagement. NFC connects brands directly to their customers in a personalized way that is easy for anyone to use, with nothing more than a smartphone or tablet.
As awareness of NFC campaigns grows along with the number of NFC-enabled smartphone users, the scope for NFC-based campaigns will keep widening in the coming years.