USA TODAY Launches Use of Microsoft Tags in Newspaper

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- USA TODAY has launched the use of Microsoft Tags in the newspaper. Starting today, USA TODAY will feature at least one Tag in each print section daily. Readers can scan the Tag with their mobile device for direct access to videos and online content.

The Tags will provide readers with access to USA TODAY's daily photo galleries and the latest financial news and sports scores, as well as other video and digital features.

"This initiative is part of our goal to bring together our digital and print platforms to provide our readers easier access to special features from the newspaper. We are proud to be one of the first U.S. newspapers to offer these daily to readers as well as to advertisers who can also take advantage of this new feature," said Dave Hunke, president and publisher of USA TODAY.

Microsoft Tag is a mobile 2D barcode that lets you seamlessly connect your offline materials to the digital world. Readers can go to http://gettag.mobi on their mobile devices to download the free Microsoft Tag reader application.

"We're excited that USA TODAY is using Tag to engage with readers in a more interactive way," said Bill McQuain, director of Tag Product Management at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft Tag makes the world around you clickable, and now with the scan of Tag, customers will get a richer, more enhanced experience from the pages of the newspaper." 

USA TODAY is a multi-platform news and information media company. Founded in 1982, USA TODAY's mission is to serve as a forum for better understanding and unity to help make the USA truly one nation. Today, through its newspaper, website and mobile platforms, USA TODAY connects readers and engages the national conversation. USA TODAY, the nation's number one newspaper in print circulation with an average of more than 1.8 million daily, and USATODAY.com, an award-winning newspaper website  launched in 1995, reach a combined 5.9 million readers daily. USA TODAY is a leader in mobile applications with more than seven million downloads on mobile devices.  The USA TODAY brand also includes USA TODAY Education and USA TODAY Sports Weekly. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI).

SOURCE USA TODAY