If you read Matthew's previous post describing the 2012 Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, you're well aware of what's going on. If you haven't check it out here.  Digimarc's watermarking technology was used to essentially bring the models to life.  Readers can get videos of each of the models' shoots delivered right to their smartphone device.  

Our local KOIN 6 news also caught on and did a great piece on the technology and how it is used.  View the clip by clicking on the image below to get a good overview of what we are doing with digital watermarks.

 

You read me right. The digital watermarking action starts with the cover, and continues via 18 more photos inside (all watermarked via our Online Services Portal). The Swimsuit Issue is one of the most popular magazines in the world, and Sports Illustrated recognized the advantages of Digimarc Discover digital watermarking over competing technologies. The supermodels spring to life, showing a short video of the same model posing in the same environment. Our friends over at Nellymoser built the app, and did a great job hosting the video. Sports Illustrated and app sponsor DirecTV excelled at educating their readers and indicating enhanced content throughout the issue, creating their own Mobile Response Code (also digitally watermarked)... could you imagine Kate Upton sharing her beach towel with a 2D barcode? Ha! I chuckle at the silly thought.

Yes, I made the effort to "tastefully" crop the cover and screenshots. However, you can get yourself a copy and download the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Viewer app to see the big picture.

Obviously, everyone here at the Digimarc ranch is very excited by this high-profile use of our technology; just the beginning of even more great things to come.

The following is a guest post from Justin Herbert, an education professional. As such he is interested in how technology is affecting education. His post discusses using "Mobile Response Codes," a term we've begun using internally to group the rapidly expanding print to web options; QRcodes, Microsoft Tags and [most importantly] digital watermarks to name just a few.

Technological advances in cellular capabilities, web applications, and interactive content storage have led to the creation of digital watermarks and quick response (QR) codes. QR codes are two-dimensional bar codes that users can scan with a webcam or smartphone app, such as QR Droid or Red Laser, that lead directly to interactive content. Digital watermarks work in a similar fashion, but offer a more aesthetically pleasing layout. Invisible to the naked eye, but perceptible by your smart phone, digital watermarks provide a sleeker, visually pleasing look and can be used by simply pointing your smart phone at the watermarked content of interest and using the associated app.

I've got some great news I wanted to share with everyone. We've posted a few times within our blog about how House Beautiful was integrating digital watermarks within their publication. The results have been just wonderful and I'm happy to announce that momentum has been building.

They've now partnered with Glidden Paint to launch a marketing campaign for the February edition. Readers will be able to access the MyColortopia site, which is Glidden's new color portal. It's pretty cool that House Beautiful now has interactive editorial and advertising content enabled through Digimarc Discover. Read all about it here. Nice work House Beautiful!

It’s 2012 and those funky little checkered squares (QR codes) keep appearing everywhere. First, what are QR Codes? QR stands for "quick response" and it's a two dimensional barcode. Reading a QR code with your mobile device will take you to interactive content. For example, after scanning a QR Code you could watch a video, receive coupons or find out more information on products/services.

Digimarc’s digital watermarking technology has similar functionality as QR codes, but Digimarc’s digital watermarks are imperceptible. Yes, digital watermarks are essentially invisible and can link you to compelling mobile campaigns just like QR Codes, but with digital watermarks you don't need to use the intrusive QR Code slapped upon every printed piece of material.

Digital watermarks also offer more security. Recently we’ve seen stories where people are hijacking QR codes and directing users to different experiences. (Check out the photo below of a hacked QR code.) Do you want your child reading a hijacked QR Code from their favorite book and then seeing inappropriate videos? I didn’t think so. Let’s review. QR Codes are intrusive on the printed page and potentially unsecure, while digital watermarks are imperceptible and a much safer alternative. If you had to choose, what mobile response code would you prefer?   

Our web guy said that I need to write a blog post (again). I usually don't listen to him.

This time I'm making an exception: Here's a video interview I did with the Editor of ScreenPlays, Fred Dawson, at Digital Hollywood. Learn more about Media-Sync and Digimarc Discover.

Digimarc was chosen as App of the Day by Apple’N’Apps.com! We are honored and pleased to be in such excellent company as Apple’s Store app and Mint.com.

House Beautiful magazine first began using Digimarc Discover™ technology in their July/August issue. Their adventure with digital watermarks was a success, and the October edition contained seven watermarks and introduced a new digital Table of Contents section. You can read the full press release here. The momentum continued to build when they announced that their November cover would be their first to be digitally watermarked. The payoff was a fantastic video short that paid homage to early Andy Warhol films. As of late, House Beautiful has also announced that they will begin leveraging digital watermarks in their advertising and marketing beginning in February 2012. Take a peek at the video below of Digimarc Discover in action in their November pages:

 

I'm very excited to announce that the Digimarc Discover™ Online Services Portal now offers two new tools for customers to create print-to-mobile campaigns that can deliver even richer media experiences and help drive ongoing engagement.  The new Pop-Up Label Overlay and Menu Button Overlay templates empower consumers to choose the product and/or experience that they want to have prior to being connected to an online landing page.

I’m a newbie at Digimarc and have dived headfirst into all the possibilities that digital watermarking has to offer. Prior to Digimarc, my only exposure to action codes was of the QR variety. The graphic designer in me shouted, “They’re so ugly!” Now that I’ve been introduced to Digimarc Discover™, I’m thrilled with the possibilities of an imperceptible solution. With digital watermarking, magazines and catalogs wanting to provide print-to-mobile experiences no longer have to sacrifice valuable real estate with square barcodes. House Beautiful is a great example of a publication doing some cutting edge mobile initiatives with Digimarc Discover.

In my quest to find information to share in our social media world, I came across Stereo Abstract who is an Online Services Portal customer. It’s exciting to see that our customers have taken the possibilities of digital watermarking and created their own pieces of art. Check out the preview of his interactive art book powered by Digimarc Discover.  He’s upped the value factor and plans on taking his readers on a journey – not just to his website but to content-rich videos about his artist background and influences. Thank you for the inspiration Stereo Abstract, and we look forward to your upcoming creation!

InPublishing just wrote an exciting article about how Armani launched a campaign that uses digital watermarks. This campaign was delivered by Digimarc's partner Digital Space in the UK.

You've probably noticed that a lot of campaigns today are starting to incorporate different types of codes that enable consumers to interact with the brand or product. Digital watermarks are an imperceptible alternative; much more appealing than your typical QR code or machine readable codes. We like to say: The bridge from print to online doesn't have to be square!

We've already seen magazines like House Beautiful, Xbox 360, Photoshop User, and many more integrate digital watermarks into their publication. And we're starting to see a lot of traction and interest with digital watermarks, so we'll continue to update you as more publications hit the street using technology enabled by Digimarc Discover.