Journal

Posted by: David Logan

10 May 2010

Four Square Fever

In case you haven’t heard of it – foursquare is the new social media tool that determines your location using GeoTargeting (either via GPS or Tower triangulation). It allows you to share your location with friends. So, when you walk into a bar or restaurant or mall, you “check-in” (foursquare’s term) on your mobile device, and your friends will see where you are on a foursquare map. You can earn points and ‘badges’ for checking in frequently or at a certain time. If you raise enough points you can become Mayor of a certain area.

Dave – Skylab’s Technical Director – has become Mayor of Skylab much to our Managing Director Nigel’s chagrin. (Nigel is, however Mayor of Worsley).

The rest of the team have been at it as well – Kieran is trying hard to be Mayor of Media City and Julie is trying to be Mayoress of the Trafford Centre.

Three brands that we think are using foursquare really well include Manchester City, Starbucks and Jimmy Choo.

Manchester City recently tried to make a little history at Eastlands by urging fans at the game to check in and break the record of the largest number of people checking in on foursquare. Although they didn’t quite make the record (nor did City sadly get coveted fourth place) it was the first attempt of its kind from any sports team around the world http://foursquare.com/venue/201084.

foursquare also have the huge brand Starbucks using its platform to test out an experimental customer rewards program. Frequent Starbucks visitors who check in at retail locations using foursquare will earn customer rewards. Although there’s no financial incentive or free coffee to begin with, customers can unlock the “Barista badge” after five check ins.

Jimmy Choo are taking their first steps (sorry) into social media. They are organizing a real-time treasure hunt around London via foursquare. One pair of Jimmy Choo trainers will check in at various locations and those who follow the campaign and are lucky enough to arrive at a venue before the trainers leave will get to pick a pair in the style and size of their choosing. The sneakers are checking in at trendy spots such as Lounge Lover and the Hummingbird Bakery http:foursquare.com/user/CatchAChoo.

If this has made you want to explore foursquare as part of your digital strategy – please ‘check in’ with us at Skylab (http://foursquare.com/venue/236324) – and we’ll be happy to help!

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