Astronaut Checks In to Foursquare From Outerspace

Today, Expedition 25 Commander Douglas H. Wheelcock became the first human to ever use a location-based service from space. Doug checked in using Foursquare from the International Space Station and unlocked the new NASA Explorer Badge, and is on his way to obtaining the most elusive mayorship on Foursqaure.

In the near future, explorers on earth who visit space-related places can also unlock the badge while learning about NASA history and the space program. Get started by following the NASA Foursquare page.

NASA Explorer Badge:

Loyalty 2.0

Over the course of the last few months, my rants on the subject of social media have become something of a norm on the blog. Much of my enthusiasm is invoked by what I see as unlimited potential for brands to benefit from these emerging platforms. As an advertiser, I believe we have the most opportunity to reach consumers through location-based social networks (LBS) like Foursquare, Gowalla, and the newly released Facebook Places.

Initially, I wasn’t sure that platforms like 4sq would ever be utilized outside of metropolitan cities. As LBS have evolved, it has become evident that I was way off with my initial evaluation. I was looking at these applications as a consumer, when I should have been looking for the opportunities in location-based services as an advertiser.

Having joined 4sq early in its early stages, the infrastructure was not yet in place outside of cities like New York or San Francisco. Each of these LBS platforms are rendered useless unless they are adopted by the masses. The sub shop around the corner.. The bookstore a block over.. Until a user creates each of them as a venue in the LBS platform, we don’t have the ability to check-in there.

Initially it was just a game. A fun way to see where my friends were, and what bars/restaurants were “trending” with the most active users currently checked in. Then, in an instance, everything changed.

One day I was checking in to a burger joint when a notification in the platform jumped out at me, “Local Special Nearby” -My light bulb moment. Remember the days when you would need 9 whole punches on a frequent buyer card to receive your 10^th sub free at your local sub shop? The ability to leverage location based social networks will take loyalty programs to new heights. If Facebook socialized the internet, Foursquare will socialize loyalty.

A few of the creative ways retailers have leveraged location-based social networks:

• Miss Shirley's in Baltimore has seen a 427% increase in the number of check-in's at the restaurant since they have offered to let their Foursquare "mayor" jump to the head of the line. http://bit.ly/a0kHc4
• A Princeton, New Jersey mall offers a free, close up parking spot to the Foursquare mayor: http://bit.ly/awmYV3

Foursquare Backlash

Location-based social network Foursquare has learned that certain locations illicit harsh responses. The Chinese government has blocked access to the service across the country after users began utilizing Foursquare to "check in" to Tiananmen Square and leave "sensitive comments" on the TS page for others to see, reports China-based Techblog86. Anyone who did manage to sneak in before the ban automatically received the "Swarm" and "Player Please" badges.

How to include FourSquare in your next ad campaign

FourSquare is a location-based social networking website, software for mobile devices, and game. Users "check in" using text messages, or the mobile application.

Typically, If a FourSquare user is in a bar, restaurant, or place of business, the Foursquare application will tell them what they have to do to unlock a free snack, discounted drink or free item. If they happen to be across the street or two blocks away from your venue, Foursquare will let them know that your business gives special treatment to foursquare users and that they should swing by for a visit. As of right now, FourSquare is a cheap and creative way to spread your brand into the social media space. We are in the early stage of this services evolution.. get in on the ground floor and reach those ‘Gladwellian’ mavens/connectors and early adopters that are so valuable to us as marketers. Including a special offer for your business is currently free, but won’t be forever.

Thoughts and resources:

· With other social media sites like Facebook and Yelp implementing FourSquare-style functionality on their already established sites, is there space for FourSquare to survive?

· This service is growing rapidly, but I still wonder if there are enough FourSquare users outside of metropolitan cities to have a successful ad campaign.

· FourSquare for businesses: http://foursquare.com/businesses/

· Article – How FourSquare has the ability to change the way we travel: http://bit.ly/dbR09S

· Follow their head of business development on twitter: http://twitter.com/tristanwalker. You can also reach Tristan via email at Tristan@FourSquare.com to pursue advertising opportunities.