Calvin Klein recently unveiled this giant QR code on Houston St. in NYC. The ad prompts passersby to scan the QR code from a mobile phone in order to unlock "uncensored" content.

While this could've been an excellent way to deliver rich multi-media content to its audience, Calvin Klein fails to deliver anything of real value. The QR code links to a predictable, black and white video (see below) of disaffected, nubile twenty-somethings making out half-clothed in urban landscapes. Not exactly groundbreaking or memorable for this genre, nor is there anything about unlocking the video that engages people or makes them feel special or valued.

This is classic tactics in search of a strategy, where someone thought it would be "really innovative" to use a QR code. Sadly, it seems there was very little thought given to what type of content would be right for this environment. The QR code was the big idea rather than the appropriate delivery mechanism for a bigger idea.

Sorry Calvin, it's not enough just to use new technology; if you want to score points you must also use new technology well.

We all know that parody is the sincerest form of flattery. Beyond page views and half-baked spoofs by comedy troupes, you know your brand has truly penetrated culture the moment every small-brand-and-non-profit-on-a-budget-who-you-can’t-sue-for-decent-money tries to glom on by making their own commercial using your commercial (for extensive coverage of this see Milking Got Milk). Congrats to Old Spice who has managed to thrust its brand deep into the culture hot tub with its latest campaign starring Isaiah Mustafa. Sadly, most parodies of the Old Spice spots will be appalling travesties (like this one for Mr. Happy the Melancholy sausage App).  But here the Harold B. Lee Library does a surprisingly good job parodying the first Isaiah Mustafa commercial with a similar sounding actor and a new tag, “Study like a scholar, scholar.” At over a million views, its already garnered more exposure than the Harold B. Lee Library has ever seen and probably will ever see again. In other words: swan dive into the best YouTube exposure of their life!

ChumpDump on Prezi

Isn't it about time you cleaned up your following list? If you are like most, chances are you follow a few people that are not worth the time. Working to clean up your timeline can take some serious effort, especially if you auto-follow everyone who follows you because you are a "nice person". A new app for the iPhone and the Android Market called "ChumpDump" brings a little fun to the table when choosing who to un-follow.

The premise is simple; each day all of your friends on Twitter are thrown in a lottery. ChumpDump then presents you with someone you are following, and you are given the choice whether to "dump" or "save" them. If you choose to dump that person, you gain karma points. After earning enough karma, you can turn the lottery mode off, allowing you to un-follow whomever you may choose on demand. People who have been dumped, appropriately labeled "dumpies", will go up for adoption in the ChumpDump world, allowing for others to decide if you were too hasty in your dumping.

Oprah once said, "think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go". She was obviously speaking about Twitter. Life is too short to have to read the mind-numbingly boring tweets from your old college buddy. Sometimes, you just need to let go.

If you question the potential popularity of ChumpDump, a quote from their website will alleviate your woes. "We like games and everyone loves the lottery, so we've given you a daily lottery game to play every day of the week". Well said, genius minds behind ChumpDump.