Likeable Content Daily

By Jenna Lebel

Mobile location technology was a central theme at this year’s SXSW. Although foursquare was the breakout app at last year’s conference, it was still a main focus this year resulting in a huge surge in the service’s growth. This Wednesday, the location-based social network announced that almost 100,000 users have signed up in just the past 10 days. With growth like that, it is no wonder that businesses are teaming up with foursquare to create customer rewards programs. Here are 4 examples of how companies are using foursquare to provide value to their biggest fans. What’s your take? Is foursquare the ideal customer loyalty program platform?

Tasti D-Lite

Social media has changed the way rewards programs are executed. Just ask Tasti D-Lite, the first company to leverage foursquare for a rewards program. The New York-based frozen treat company created “TastiRewards,” a rewards program that encourages people to link their Twitter and foursquare accounts to their Tasti D-Lite membership cards. When customers register their TreatCards, they can opt-in to link to their Twitter and foursquare accounts.  By linking to their social accounts, users are able to automatically update their Twitter, foursquare or other social sites every time they make a qualifying purchase at a participating Tasti D-Lite location. Through this rewards system, customers win points regularly (in fact, they earn 1 point per purchase for each social network connection set up) which are redeemable towards a free medium cup or cone.

Starbucks

Frequent Starbucks trips now have their perks! Though there is no financial incentive or free coffee just yet, visitors who check in at the several Starbucks locations on foursquare can unlock the “Barista Badge” after five check-ins. Starbucks is new to foursquare, but sees the benefit of the location-based mobile service. They plan to use foursquare as a testing ground for reward strategies. In the works is a kind of uber-coupon: they plan to offer prizes such as invitations to special events, photo-sharing or online reputation scores. Starbucks committing to foursquare might open the possibility for other companies to follow in their footsteps.

ZAGAT

The restaurant reviews guide ZAGAT partnered with foursquare in early February. Users earn a “Foodie” badge when checking into any ZAGAT-Rated restaurant in NY, LA, Chicago, Boston, or San Francisco. That’s not all! In an attempt to bring the foursquare community together with ZAGAT’s dining expertise, users can benefit from insider tips in all five cities and have the opportunity to be featured on ZAGAT.com in their “Meet the Mayor” series.

Bravo

TV station Bravo recently partnered with foursquare. Bravo explains, “Bravo fans do more than sit on their couches and watch Housewives. They eat where Top Chefs eat, they shop where the Housewives shop and they foursquare!” Their foursquare deal comes with a variety of Bravo-themed badges and a guide to “Bravolebrities’ picks for the best restaurants, bars and stores in your city!” The TV station is turning its well-known personalities, from popular series such as Top Chef and The Real Housewives, into content creators. These celebrities share tips and to-dos which people can then follow. Bravo even created 20 second TV ad spots promoting foursquare (see below).