QR Codes are one of the most used 2D barcode platforms in the world, first used in Japan in 1994 the barcode platform has seen significant usage specially in countries like Japan and South Korea.

Initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing the technology has since made its way into marketing with allot of companies running ad campaigns with these QR Codes in them.

South African uptake has been slow but it seems more and more local companies are starting to make use of QR codes in their advertising campaigns, the latest to do so is Soft Drink giant Coca Cola, Woolworth also recently ran a window promotion using QR Codes, but it’s not only the big guys making use of the technology, smaller businesses like iThemba Computers for example are also making use of them in their flyers and advertisements.

How QR Codes work is by embedding links or text inside a series black squares and then users can use their cellphone with a barcode reader app to translate the barcode and show them either the webpage or text embeded inside the barcode which either gives users more details about the promotion of could provide discount through coupon codes.

What are your favourite local QR Code campaigns?

One of the biggest music festivals every year with great international and local lineups will not happen this year. The Coke Zero Fest is probably the most anticipated rock music event every year, but fans will have to anticipate extra longer this year.

Although there has not been an officially released statement by Coca-Cola South Africa, Dionne Domyan from Penny Stein Promotions confirmed that the Coca Zero Fest will not happen this year.

“The sad news is that there is no Coke Zero Fest this year as Coca-Cola are one of the major sponsors of the Fifa World Cup so all their energy (and resources) have been channeled to this event,” Domyan told Entertainment Africa.

“We are however hoping for an official statement from Coca-Cola in the next few days regarding this,” Domyan continued.

Facebook has been flooded by the news on various groups by fans expressing their disappointment, while some groups have already started suggesting what bands they want to see in the 2011 line up. The list include Paramore, Linkin Park and Red Hot Chili Peppers, right through to Green Day, My Chemical Romance and Slipknot.

Some good news though is that if you were looking forward to one hell of a rock show you can always go rock away at Ramfest IV. Ramfest will be taking place February 26 – 27 at Worcester and for the first time in Gauteng on the 6th of March.

Some of the local bands you will be able to see at Ramfest include Fokofpolisiekar, The Narrow, The Dirty Skirts, Jack Parow, Die Heuwles Fantasties and Taxi Violence just to name a few. This years international act is Pendulum from Australia & UK

Great news for local The Killers fans, they will be doing two shows right here in South Africa this December.

Capetonians and Johannesburgers will have the privilege to go see The Killers live on tour right here in South Africa this December brought to us by Heineken and 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter had been filling with news that The Killers will be comming to South Africa, and now it is comfirmed that they are set to perform in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The Killers has released three albums and has numerous hits such as Mr. Brightside and Human, aswell as a number of awards behind them.

Fans of The Killer can catch them in Johannesburg at the Coca Cola Dome on the 4th of December and Cape Town fans can check them out at Val De Vie Polo Estate in Franschhoek on the 6th of December. Tickets go on sale at Computicket from tomorrow, 28 August, or if you are a KFM club VIP member you can already get a prime spot by purchasing a ticket through the Club VIP website.