Checking In

You know at sporting events when they display the attendance on this big screen? Imagine if, throughout the game, the screen displayed the names of people who had checked in at the stadium using the popular mobile app Foursquare. Pretty cool, right? You might spot the name of a friend you didn't know was at the game—which could lead to a phone call and drinks after the game.

With the emergence of Foursquare, your friends, family, and followers can know exactly where you are and what you’re doing. Many businesses are integrating Foursquare into their marketing plans, often with great success. With a simple check-in, which advertises your commitment to the business you’re patronizing, you could earn reward points at hotels or free food at restaurants as part of a promotional contest. Foursquare promotions encourage customers to spread the word to their online communities, helping businesses bring in new business on a referral basis while increasing brand awareness. But how else can businesses take advantage of this new and upcoming marketing tool? Can combining Foursquare with DOOH media benefit your business?

I see Foursquare as more than just a lead generation or brand awareness tool—it’s a way to create that “wow” experience for customers. For instance, we've all had to wait for a table at a restaurant— Imagine if, while waiting, you check in on Foursquare and within seconds the digital screen in the waiting area shows this message "Welcome to Ruth Chris Steakhouse, #yourname#. Your table will be ready in 5 minutes." That sure beats waiting for the pager to vibrate and red lights to blink, right?

What are your thoughts? Share with us how you would implement Foursquare into a marketing plan.