1 year ago
Starbucks Fans Can Become ‘Baristas’ on Foursquare
Starbucks customers earn the barista badge after checking in to five separate shops. The coffee chain is still figuring out how to reward people for frequent visits.
Foursquare Pitches To TV Audiences With New Bravo Partnership
The new partnership integrates information from NBC Universal’s iPhone app “Guides By Bravo,” which launched its 1.1 version this summer. Users can find curated lists to see where their favorite Top Chef contender eats and where stylist Rachel Zoe of The Rachel Zoe Project shops for couture finds.
Starting Monday, Bravo will offer Foursquare players badges and special prizes when they “check-in” to those locations, according to the New York Times. Lisa Hsia, senior vice president for digital media at Bravo, said hosts helped tag show-related locations with tips and the chance to win the Foursquare badges. Bravo marketing representative told the Times that they will create on-air promotions showing viewers how to play the Foursquare game.
5 Stories I’ll Be Watching Closely in 2010
The calendar says Jan. 21. Too late to make a list for the coming year? Probably.
No mind. Here are a few stories, business and otherwise, that I’ll be paying close attention to in 2010:
- Google vs. Everybody (but especially Apple and Microsoft) - The Mountain View Crew is diving headfirst into software, both traditional and mobile. and ticking off Microsoft, Apple and potential mobile carriers in the process. They’re even picking a fight with the Chinese Government.
- Apple - A tablet. IPhone fighting to stay on top. Steve Jobs’ health. Mobile advertising deals. Getting in bed with arch enemy Microsoft? Never a dull moment for our favorite fruit.
- Election 2010 - Two years into Bill Clinton’s presidency led to a Republican takeover of Congress. Considering the recent loss in Mass., is 2010 beginning to smell a lot like 1994?
- LeBron - Are you ready for NBA free agency? An entire city’s mental well-being hangs in the balance. Stay ‘Bron. Stay.
- Foursquare - I’m addicted. I admit it. The most intriguing start-up I’ve seen in a long time. Yeah, Facebook (or Yelp) will probably crush them, but maybe not. They do have a revenue model at least.
January’s not even over and most of the above are already lighting up the wires. Should be a fun year. Oh, and did I mention keeping one eye on the economy?
