In every box of Oliva Cigars’ Serie V Melanio, you’ll find something else within it in addition to highly rated premium cigars–a Quick Response (QR) code (QR). QR codes have been used on packaging for some time to provide retailers and consumer with additional information on a product, including the source of its ingredients and origin, and Oliva Cigar is looking to bring this same concept to the world of premium cigars.
From now on, Oliva Cigars will be printing a unique QR code on each of its Serie V Melania cigars. Anyone who scans this code with their mobile device will immediately be provided with a detailed breakdown of that particular cigar.
“For example, we pinpoint the factory where the cigar was rolled and what tobacco was used for it. And we also identify the bonchero and the rolero. The bonchero handles the first step before the cigar gets rolled, while the rolero makes sure that the wrapper is rolled around the cigar,” explains Cory Bappert, CEO of Oliva Cigars.
Frederik Vandermarliere, CEO of J. Cortès, the parent company of Oliva Cigars, added: “A cigar isn’t just for smoking, it’s about pure enjoyment too. With this innovation, we want to give our cigar connoisseurs an added experience.”
Oliva Cigars worked with data tech startup Esoptra to develop this QR code for its products. Esoptra’s platform, ZARA.Rocks (Zero App Zero Account) uses QR does to easily link the journey of a unique product to the experience of a unique customer.
“The ZAZA QR code opens up a unique two-way communication channel between the smoker and the cigar. The smoker gets rich information about the cigar, and in return provides feedback about his smoking experience. Going forward, we look to further enrich the QR codes with additional features useful for our Customers.”
In addition to sharing information on the people who made the cigar, the QR codes will provide videos of Oliva’s factories, an interactive project that the company worked with Belgian studio Cnockspot to produce. “People like to know from what farm their food is coming; where their wallet and t-shirt has been made and who finished the table they just bought… We are happy to offer as the first ones in the industry a similar experience for the cigar smoker,” says Bappert.
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