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.
The much anticipated iAd platform is ready to roll out on July 1 on iPhone 3Gs or better and second or third generation iPod Touch models running on the new iOS 4 platform. Apple has already lined up $60 million in commitments from leading brands including AT&T, Best Buy, Target, Turner Broadcasting, Nissan, Unilever and Disney. With its new multitasking capabilities, iAd apps will allow users to engage with an ad within individual apps while watching videos or playing games and built-in ecommerce functionality will enable direct purchases of merchandise.
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.
