I logged into my FourSquare to check in at my office today and I saw something new! A little green button with “special offer” dropped down. When I clicked it, it took me to the following ad below (sorry for the dark image)
Foursquare monetizing already!
In case you can’t read this it says the following:
Welcome to Starbucks
650 S. Third St.As mayor of this store, enjoy $1 off a NEW however-you-want-it Frappuccino blended beverage. Any size, any flavor. Over valid until 6/28
(Tue May 18 @ 1:45 PM)
What I like about this is the ad was very non-intrusive (as ads go). I actually had to take an action on my phone to see the ad. It didn’t just pop up in my face. I also like the fact that it was highly relevant and the establishment was just down the street. However, I think the ad is a bit misguided in that it only applies to the Mayor of that Starbucks.
Anyone who knows anything about Foursquare knows that there can only be one Mayor…so essentially this coupon is good for $1 off for only one person. Not exactly casting a wide net there. Furthermore, many times the Mayor of a small shop like a Starbucks is an employee who works there. For example, I am the Mayor at InnoGage. Good luck trying to beat me…I’m here every day.
A better execution would have been for them to shoot me a coupon good for $1 off anything but good only for the next hour or maybe end of the day. In that case, I probably would have gone over to get a coffee.Regardless, I’m glad to see FourSquare begin to monetize.
Personally, I love location based applications like FourSquare because I see such amazing potential for generating value and revenues. Hats off to Starbucks for a good first attempt.
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