Loopt today introduced Reward Alerts into its mobile app for iPhone, iPod Touch and Android phones. The new alerts bring a social, real-time element to location-based deals.
With Reward Alerts, brands and local businesses can offer limited-time and perishable-inventory deals to nearby consumers. Reward Alerts open up a unique mobile opportunity to offer a “flash” deal that is immediately redeemable in person, instead of a deal that is purchased now, but used at a future date. The new local deal alerts complement Loopt’s existing Friend Alerts, which send users a notification when a friend is nearby.
The first Reward Alerts go live in March for upcoming deals featured in the Loopt application. Users simply download the update, log in, turn Rewards “on” in the app’s settings, and nearby deals will be delivered straight to their iPhone, iPod touch or Android phone.
To Launch at SXSW
While Reward Alerts will prove useful for local businesses in the future, the alerts first debut with national brands in Austin, TX during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive show (March 11-15). Loopt has set up an Austin-based moving “Rewards Wagon,” where brands are giving out more than $45,000 in rewards. Participating companies include Altec Lansing, FOX Broadcasting, Gilt City, Jawbone, Microsoft, OkCupid, Southwest Airlines, TabbedOut, Twelve South, TiVo and Yurbuds; rewards from top musical artists including Jack Johnson, Anberlin and Hinder; as well as rewards from authors including Guy Kawasaki (Enchantment), Hugh MacLeod (Evil Plans), Gary Vaynerchuk (The Thank You Economy) and Tony Hsieh (Author of Delivering Happiness and CEO of Zappos.com).
Loopt users in the Austin area March 11-15 will be notified of the reward locations on their phone the moment they happen. Each reward notification tells users where to go, and what to do to get the special prize. The high-value prizes have limited availability, and will be redeemed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details on the SXSW Rewards Wagon, including specific rewards and necessary settings, visit http://www.loopt.com/sxsw, follow @loopt on Twitter or “like” Loopt on Facebook.
The Loopt app is available for free from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or in the Android Marketplace.
