Z-CARD

{{for|the document issued to mariners|Merchant Mariner's Document}} {{Multiple issues| {{Notability|1=Companies|date=September 2023}} {{More citations needed|date=September 2023}} }} {{Infobox company | name = ZCARD | foundation = 2003 | hq_location = NYC, USA | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = George McDonald (Inventor)<br />Liz Love (Managing Director) | num_employees = 40 <small>(June 2011)</small> | industry = Marketing | revenue = £7 million (2011)<ref name="telegraph"/> | homepage = {{URL|http://www.zcardna.com}} }}

'''Z-CARD''' is the registered trademark for a foldable {{clarify|text=guide|date=November 2015}} invented by George McDonald when he was a travel writer and consultant for British Airways.

==History== McDonald found that traditional fold-out maps were too bulky to carry with him on travel research trips and wanted a more convenient solution. From this the Z-CARD was developed and launched in 1992,<ref name="telegraph">[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/8459429/Z-Card-seeks-to-shape-up-for-austerity-times.html# The Telegraph] Z-Card seeks to shape up for austerity times 2011-4-19, retrieved 2012-12-10</ref> with the company as it looks today being founded in 2003. <ref name="telegraph"/>

While Z-CARD pioneered the z-fold market from 1992, a number of other companies have since entered the market by producing their own take on the z-fold format. The original inspiration for the product came from the fold-out map format.

== Applications ==

The Z-CARD and similar products have been used for a range of applications, including internal corporate communications, product and services information and promotional merchandise across all major industries.

== Use of technology ==

In recent years, cards have featured technology such as Radio-frequency identification, QR codes and Augmented reality.<ref name="telegraph"/><ref>[http://www.printweek.com/news/1017736/Z-Card-launches-augmented-reality-PocketMedia-product/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH Printweek] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929104350/http://www.printweek.com/news/1017736/Z-Card-launches-augmented-reality-PocketMedia-product/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH |date=2011-09-29 }} Z-Card launches augmented reality PocketMedia product 2010-07-21, retrieved 2012-12-10</ref>

== Awards ==

In 2011, Z-CARD won the Chartered Institute of Marketing Excellence Award in the SME category. Previous winners of CIM awards include Saatchi & Saatchi, McCann Erickson and JCDecaux.

In 2010, Z-CARD won South London Business of the Year and the Best Business for Marketing categories at the South London Business Awards.<ref>[http://www.southlondonbusiness.co.uk/rbs_south_london_business_awards_2009.php South London Business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303095606/http://www.southlondonbusiness.co.uk/rbs_south_london_business_awards_2009.php |date=2012-03-03 }} RBS South London Business Awards 2009 retrieved 2012-12-10</ref>

== References ==

Category:Types of marketing