Today Nigel wrote about partnerships on Foursquare. One of the indicators of Foursquare’s success besides their growth rate is the company they keep. They stay ahead of their competition through high profile partnerships.

Starbucks was one of Foursquare’s first high profile partnerships (note the success):

“Since running their  Mayor Special on foursquare, Starbucks (already the most checked in retailer on the platform prior to running the Special) has seen a 50% increase in Check-Ins at its locations.”

Foursquare reminds me of Google in that they are willing to innovate and try things without worrying that they are perfect and ready for prime time. For example, on their blog they don’t always capitalize Foursquare (see above quote.) Imagine that getting by your marketing department!

But Foursquare is still the young, hip company on the block. Sometimes their partnerships don’t go perfectly (see this post about the Starbucks offer.) Still they continue to sign big name deals.

Here are 7 high profile Foursquare partnerships besides Starbucks

1. Zagat
   The partnership will provide Foursquare users with new “Foodie” badges when they check in to Zagat rated restaurants.
2. New York Times
   They created special badges and features for the Winter Olympics.
3. Lucky Magazine
   Foursquare added the Lucky Shopping Directory, which is a list of about 700 stores. If you check in to a store, you get tips and deals as well as Foursquare badges.
4. BART California subway system
   BART ran a promotion to give $25 promotional tickets and to enter you just had to log on at BART stations.
5. Huffington Post
   The popular blog not only partnered with Foursquare but they copied the idea of Foursquare badges and now rewards people active on the site with special badges (this is a new innovation — steal this idea!)
6. MTV and VH1
   MTV is not the star it once was, they are one of the brands who are innovative in their use of Foursquare. You can follow celebrities (they don’t have to follow you back) and see where they are checking in (when they want you to). Celebrities also leave tips about their favorite venues. As the article points out they may get paid to do that – because it’s a form of endorsement. Which brings up the next wave I see which is: endorsed venues and sponsored recommendations.
7. Harvard
   Heading to college this Fall and want to know the town and campus hot spots? Foursquare can help. I’m surprised more colleges and universities haven’t offered this. You can get tips and connect with classmates and professors and most importantly see where the popular spots on campus are.

Tomorrow I’m going to talk about another wave of partnerships that are even bigger for Foursquare’s future.

One Response to “Day 11: Foursquare Partnerships Drive Early Success”

1. Day 11: Foursquare’s Potential Big Deal Says:
   August 4th, 2010 at 7:47 am

   [...] I wrote about Foursquare partnerships and promised to write today about the biggest potential deal — their talks with search [...]

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