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Library/Campaign/Coinbase Bouncing QR Code
Grade B20 sourcesHIS-00508

Coinbase Bouncing QR Code

Campaign · 2022 · Notable

51Editable slideCertificate

A bouncing QR code ad crashed Coinbase’s app and helped it reach No. 2 on the US App Store

Mr. Peanut

@MrPeanut · Feb 14, 2022

What did the QR code say? I was busy getting snacks #PlantersAllorOne

87644
Post · @MrPeanut on X

Brian Armstrong

@brian_armstrong · Feb 21, 2022

10/ I guess if there is a lesson here it is that constraints breed creativity, and that as founders you can empower your team to break the rules on marketing because you're not trying to impress your peers at AdWeek or wherever. No ad agency would have done this ad.

1.1K72
Post · @brian_armstrong on X

Avocados From Mexico

@AvosFromMexico · Feb 14, 2022

Let's bounce some ideas @coinbase #AlwaysGood #SBLVI #adbowl

22426
Post · @AvosFromMexico on X

Irish Spring

@IrishSpring · Feb 14, 2022

. @coinbase really said:

1565
Post · @IrishSpring on X

Coinbase 🛡️

@coinbase · Feb 14, 2022

ICYMI 👀 Now that we have your attention we'd like to announce that we're giving away $15 in BTC to anyone who joins Coinbase by 2/15. Click below for more info and RT to tell your friends! Sign up and see terms here → drops.coinbase.com

5.1K1.2K
Post · @coinbase on X
A pink QR code on black from the aired creative, shown in Wavemaker’s campaign case study.
Coinbase / Wavemaker
coinbase super bowl
Variety
What did the QR code say? I was busy getting snacks #PlantersAllorOne
@MrPeanut on X
ICYMI 👀 Now that we have your attention we'd like to announce that we're giving away $15 in BTC to anyone who joins Coinbase by 2/15. Click below for more info and RT to tell your friends! Sign up…
@coinbase on X
Accenture Song Wins Cannes Lions Direct Grand Prix for Coinbase
Accenture
The Ads, The Celebrities, and The Power of Nostalgia: Super Bowl LVI in Numbers
Brandwatch
Let's bounce some ideas @Coinbase #AlwaysGood #SBLVI #adbowl
@AvosFromMexico on X
. @coinbase really said:
@IrishSpring on X
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
CoinDesk
Super Bowl ads boosted crypto app downloads by 279%, led by Coinbase | TechCrunch
TechCrunch
Marketing Briefing: Will Coinbase's Super Bowl QR code stunt make marketers rethink their ROI metrics for the big game?
Digiday

Spread Score

How it works
Reach72Contagion35Breadth50Velocity73Longevity1251

Numbers

Earned media impressions, agency claim; window undisclosed
14B
Self-reported · Wavemaker
Seed to peak
1 day
Feb 13 ’22 to Feb 14 ’22
Platforms
6
Started on TV
Origin
Paid
Finance

Mechanics

  • Brand pile-onPrimary
  • Remixable template
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop
  • Controversy

How it spread

Trace the origin

Coinbase bought a Super Bowl spot showing a bouncing QR code. Its landing page drew a surge that interrupted service, while brands parodied the ad on Twitter. The app reached No. 2 on the US App Store; the campaign later won a Cannes Lions Grand Prix.

Google searchesFeb ’22MarAprMayJunJulPeakTVPressXOpen webRedditApp stores
TVPressXOpen webRedditApp stores

14 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

Timeline (17)

  1. February 2022

    Coinbase seed · Feb 13 ’22

    Coinbase aired a 60-second bouncing QR code during Super Bowl LVI.[1][2][3]

    Open the first post ↗

  2. Variety press · Feb 13 ’22

    Variety reported that viewers encountered an outage after scanning the QR code.[2]

    coinbase super bowl

  3. Mr. Peanut platform jump · Feb 13 ’22

    Mr. Peanut posted a bouncing peanut parody of the QR code.[4]

    What did the QR code say? I was busy getting snacks #PlantersAllorOne
Changelogupdated Oct 16 ’26
  1. 2026-10-16Revised 3 numbers
  2. 2026-10-14Added: 16 events, 19 sources · Score 51 · Fact-check passed (36 claims)
Origin
Paid
Sector
Finance
Region
US
Earned media impressions, agency claim; window undisclosed
14B
Self-reported · Wavemaker
Evidence
Grade B

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The McWhopper Proposal

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.@McDonalds let’s #SettleTheBeef to raise awareness for @PeaceOneDay. #McWhopperProposal http://t.co/GEXRHve53D http://t.co/o3APQ2QzKC

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For 60 pancakin’ years, we’ve been IHOP. Now, we’re flippin’ our name to IHOb. Find out what it could b on 6.11.18. #IHOb

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Lady Gaga's Oscars gloves

X · 2015

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#LadyGaga gives us our first meme-worthy look at #Oscars2015. http://t.co/dmXccPy7Zr

New cases, every week

How the next thing spread, the week it does.

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Google searchesFeb ’22MarAprMayJunJulPeakTVPressXOpen webRedditApp stores
TVPressXOpen webRedditApp stores

14 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

  1. February 2022

    Coinbase seed · Feb 13 ’22

    Coinbase aired a 60-second bouncing QR code during Super Bowl LVI.[1][2][3]

    Open the first post ↗

  2. Variety press · Feb 13 ’22

    Variety reported that viewers encountered an outage after scanning the QR code.[2]

    coinbase super bowl

  3. Mr. Peanut platform jump · Feb 13 ’22

    Mr. Peanut posted a bouncing peanut parody of the QR code.[4]

    What did the QR code say? I was busy getting snacks #PlantersAllorOne

  1. owner response · Feb 13 ’22

  2. platform jump · Feb 13 ’22

Join free to see the other 14 events and the full chart. Free, on every case.

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Why it worked

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