QR-Codes-On

Using QR codes in cinema ads

A dark theater before a movie starts is the perfect moment to capture your audience’s attention and make your advertising more impactful. By adding a QR code to your movie ad, you can turn waiting time into engagement time, allowing curious viewers to scan the code while they wait, explore your brand, and connect with your products or services even before the film begins.

QR codes in cinema ads
QR codes in cinema ads
QR codes in cinema ads
QR codes in cinema ads
QR codes in cinema ads
QR codes in cinema ads

Benefits of incorporating QR codes in cinema ads

Film advertising is an effective way to showcase your products and services. By adding QR codes, you allow viewers to scan and access more information quickly without cluttering the ad or shortening the core message. Placing QR codes on movie ads, posters, or trailers also enables you to track scans and measure how well your ads perform, giving you actionable data to improve future campaigns.

Increase the visibility and awareness of your brand +

Cinema advertising is an effective way to build brand awareness and reach new customers through word of mouth. It can be expensive and is often limited to short 30-second spots because longer ads risk losing the audience’s attention. QR codes help solve this problem by letting you share more content without cluttering the ad, and viewers can save the information directly to their phones for later. In addition, QR codes let you track scans and measure your return on investment (ROI), giving you data to optimize future campaigns and improve overall performance.

Multichannel development +

To show viewers what makes your brand special and convert them into potential customers, use a multichannel marketing strategy. Adding a QR code to the cinema screen links the audience directly to your digital content so they do not lose access to it after the movie ends. You can guide movie lovers to your Instagram or TikTok with a link listing QR code where they will find exclusive updates, trailers, and premiere news. You can also offer special deals through a coupon QR code that they can redeem after the movie or whenever they choose.

Boost sales of your product +

You can encourage moviegoers to buy your merchandise, visit the concession stand, or return for another film by offering an exclusive discount through a coupon QR code in your movie ads. McDonald’s is a great example of this — they often run cinema ads featuring a QR code that gives viewers a discount on their next purchase. When people scan the code, they are directed to a webpage where they can access a coupon valid for one week, which can be redeemed not only at the cinema but at any McDonald’s location. This example shows how QR codes in cinema ads can effectively reach and engage your audience. Additionally, you can include a custom button that directs users to your social media pages, helping you gain more followers and potential customers.

Integrate it into your design +

The Divsly QR code generator lets you customize your QR codes to match your brand’s look. You can use your brand colors, add custom frames and borders, insert your logo or an image in the center, and include a call to action (CTA) to encourage people to scan it. Divsly codes are flexible and can be resized to fit any format, and you can choose the type of image file when you download them.

Track your campaign +

If you want to see which ad worked best, how many followers you gained from your cinema QR code, or how your campaign is performing, dynamic QR codes are the perfect tool. They let you track real-time data such as where and when the code was scanned, the device or operating system used, and the total number of scans. This information helps you understand how your QR code is performing and which theaters or movie times are most effective, so you can optimize future campaigns.

How to add a QR code for cinema ads?

1

Sign up to access the QR code generator and choose the type of QR code to add to your ads. We recommend starting with a URL QR code.

2

Simply enter your website link, and your QR code will be generated automatically.

3

Personalize your QR code design by adding a frame and a "Scan Me" label.

4

Select the colors for your QR code to match your brand or personal style.

5

Click “Download” to save your QR code as a JPEG file.

6

Add the QR code design into your cinema ad.

Top ways to incorporate QR codes for cinema ads

Make your cinema ads more interactive and engaging by using QR codes creatively. From customizing your design to choosing the right size and adding a clear call to action, these best practices will help you capture audience attention and encourage more scans during and after the movie.

1
Customize your design

With Divsly, you can customize your QR code to match your brand’s style and help boost brand awareness. After creating your code, you can choose from a range of frames, ready-made CTA messages, and colours to catch people’s attention. You can also add your own icon or logo, change the shape, and include custom text for a more personal touch.

2
Use the right size

When making your QR code, remember the minimum recommended size is 2 x 2 centimeters, whether it's digital or printed. It's best not to go smaller, but you can make it bigger to keep it easy to scan. To make sure everyone can use it, test the QR code with different smartphone models and apps.

3
Add a call to action

Many people forget an important detail when using QR codes: adding a short message to explain what the user will get by scanning it. When you create your QR code with Divsly, make sure to include a small note or incentive so people know what to expect and are more likely to scan it, which helps make your campaign more effective.

Explore QR codes in action for cinema ads

If you're unsure how to use Divsly codes to boost your sales and improve ROI, here are some examples to inspire you.

Discounts icon
Offer great deals and discounts

A great way to grab customers' attention is by offering discount coupons. To turn viewers into repeat customers, display a coupon QR code on the cinema screen. Viewers can redeem the offer at your concession stand or food stall, save it for later, or share the deal with family and friends via text, social media, or email.

Movie poster icon
Turn movie posters into interactive content portals

To catch your audience's attention and encourage them to watch your movie trailer, create an engaging poster that points viewers to the trailer. Because people may forget to look for the poster later, add a video QR code to the poster or ad so the trailer link is saved to their device, making it easy for them to watch right away or return to it after the movie.

Website traffic icon
Increase traffic to your website

A great way to get audiences excited for your next movie is to give them direct access to exclusive content through a dynamic URL QR code in your trailer. This code can link viewers to your website, an ad video channel, or interactive games related to your film. Divsly also lets you track scan data so you can see where and when traffic is highest, helping you evaluate the success of your campaign and make targeted improvements.

Leads icon
Convert leads into customers

Commercials usually last around 30 seconds, which is enough time to share a message but may not always encourage viewers to take action. By using a video QR code, you can make your ad interactive. Viewers can scan the code to access a video playlist, which keeps them engaged longer and gives you more opportunities to convert interest into sales.

Followers icon
Increase your number of followers

Social media plays a big role in marketing campaigns today. When viewers watch your movie commercial, they will be more likely to scan the code because they will not have to search for your social profiles. With a link listing QR code, they can quickly access your profiles and the information you share about products, updates, promotions, and giveaways.

Frequently asked questions

QR codes in film advertising should be large enough to be easily scanned. The minimum recommended size is 2 x 2 cm to avoid clutter and scanning issues. In cinemas, it's best to use a larger size so people in the back can scan it easily. Be sure to test the code on different devices to make sure it looks good and is readable for everyone.

When creating a QR code, it’s important to think about its purpose and design. The purpose should meet user needs, like offering product info or booking services. For design, choosing the right colors, frames, and adding logos can help the QR code stand out or blend in with your design. In short, QR codes are a versatile tool that, when used well and designed carefully, can enhance user experience and brand engagement.

QR codes can provide interactive experiences during cinema screenings by allowing viewers to quickly access exclusive content, offers, contests, feedback forms, and social media profiles. Scanning codes displayed on ads, trailers, or posters makes it easy for the audience to participate and learn more, boosting engagement and brand recall.

Yes, dynamic QR codes enable advertisers to monitor real-time analytics such as scan numbers, locations, devices used, and peak usage times. This data helps measure campaign performance, identify which theaters or movie times work best, and optimize future marketing strategies for greater impact.

Got more questions?

For additional details, check out our
help center.