Being touted as a ‘cost-per-visit’ model, Starbucks is using Loopt to let consumers check-in various stores and win real-world prizes, coupons, and even play with friends. Currently the Loop applications is available for the iPhone and iPod touch and Mobile Commerce Daily reports that other brands like Gap, Burger King, and Universal Music Group are also using Loopt’s mobile social networking rewards game.
[By the way, you can check out a list of mobile dating apps here]
Rather than pay for impression-based advertising, mobile social check-in rewards programs have the potential to drive customers into sales and actually make them become more loyal. When a customer checks-in, the brand’s logo even appears on the user’s Facebook page. Right now the Loopt service has partnerships with every major US wireless carrier and more than 3 million users are registered. I know I will register as soon as I get the new 4G iPhone.
Read the rest of this article at MobileCommerce.
