Way back in episode 33, I talked about Microsoft Tag on the Convertcast in 2010. A lot has changed since then, and barcode scanning has become ubiquitous in both e-commerce and brick and mortar stores. What we have not seen more of, however, is Microsoft Tag. Microsoft is now making an attempt to bring it back by using it as the method of entry in a contest hosted by Newegg.

I dutifully downloaded Tag to my iPhone, an app I hadn’t got much use from, and didn’t even have installed anymore. Is it worth installing just to enter a contest? Sure – why not?!

Play the Golden Egg Games Using Mobile Barcodes and Gaming Applications to Win Instant Prizes and Discounts

City of Industry, CA — June 12, 2012 — Newegg Inc., the leading electronics-focused e-retailer in the United States, today announced it has selected technology from Microsoft and L4 Mobile to execute the launch of a new mobile game promotion for consumers, the Golden Egg Games. Through the program, Newegg customers can use their mobile phones to win instant prizes and discounts, including the chance to win an Xbox 360 Kinect bundle. The promotion is powered by the L4 Mobile contest and sweepstakes management platform, Interplay™, which is integrated with the Microsoft Tag platform.

Developed by L4 Mobile, Newegg’s Golden Egg Games can be accessed by simply scanning custom designated Microsoft Tag 2D barcodes that can be found on printed promotional materials, as well as Newegg’s website: www.newegg.com/goldenegg. Playing the Golden Egg Games gives consumers the opportunity to instantly win a Newegg t-shirt or $10 off their next purchase on Newegg.com. Some players will also be able to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a grand prize of an Xbox 360 Kinect bundle and a $500 Newegg promotional gift card, a prize package valued at nearly $800. Consumers can increase their chances of winning by playing the Golden Egg Games once a day for the duration of the program.

“As an innovative player in the online retail space, Newegg is always looking for new, creative ways to engage and connect with our customers,” said Tommy Chang, director of marketing at Newegg. “By leveraging the advancements of cutting-edge mobile technology, the Golden Egg Games allows us to interact with our customers in a unique and fun way while rewarding them with prizes and discounts.”

Newegg’s mobile game promotion is made possible by technology from:

• L4 Mobile – L4 Mobile’s Interplay™ platform is a cloud-based managed service that provides an end-to-end contest, game, and rewards management system. It combines mobile application technology with a detailed Web management console to help companies engage their customers in new and interactive ways. Interplay is fully integrated with the Microsoft Tag platform to allow engagement with Tag custom branded 2D barcodes and standard QR codes. Companies using the platform are able to offer promotions such as scanning to enter sweepstakes, play games, participate in scavenger hunts, and earn rewards.

• Microsoft - The Microsoft Tag marketing solution gives companies and customers an easy way to use a rich suite of recognition technologies, from QR Codes to the current Tag barcodes and beyond to the next generation in mobile, Near Field Communication (NFC). Depending on the choice of recognition technology, anyone can create a simple campaign delivering a line of text or a phone number, or go further and help people use a mobile site, see a video, download an app, get contact info, and much more. Companies don’t have to worry about their target audience typing in a URL or finding them online – using Tag instantly puts the relevant info at their fingertips.

“Leading-edge retailers, like Newegg, recognize the importance of reaching out to their customers through the mobile devices they carry with them throughout the day,” said Keith O’Neill, chief executive officer of L4 Mobile. “We are pleased to be working with Microsoft and Newegg to make these types of marketing activities easy for retailers to launch to attract new shoppers and build loyalty among current customers.”

About Newegg

Newegg Inc. is the leading electronics-focused e-retailer in the United States. It owns and operates Newegg.com (www.newegg.com) which was founded in 2001 and regularly earns industry-leading customer service ratings. The award-winning website has more than 18 million registered users and offers customers a comprehensive selection of the latest consumer electronics products, detailed product descriptions and images, as well as how-to information and customer reviews. Using the site’s online tech community, customers have the opportunity to interact with other computer, gaming and consumer electronics enthusiasts. Newegg Inc. is headquartered in City of Industry, California.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About L4 Mobile

L4 Mobile is a leader in developing and delivering interactive applications and products for mobile phones, tablets, and connected TVs. The company’s product suite, which includes the Interplay™ contest management platform, the Digital Vinyl™ music platform, and the Chatterbox™ social television platform, deliver the tools companies need to quickly create new mobile experiences. L4 Mobile also offers the application development services necessary to build and manage engagement around a brand. L4 Mobile combines deep mobile engineering excellence with unique industry insight. Headquartered in Seattle, WA, L4 Mobile has assembled turn-key mobile and media applications for many of today’s top consumer brands, such as Everyday Health, Nokia Siemens Networks, Universal Music, and Viacom.

Additional information is available at http://www.l4mobile.com, +1 (425) 605-7030, info@l4mobile.com, Twitter: http://twitter.com/L4Mobile, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/L4Mobile, and LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/l4-mobile.