Street Fight Daily: 09.08.11

A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal media, technology, advertising and startups.

Echoecho is a simple service that lets people request location updates from friends in their phone address book, who then can decide whether to respond with their coordinates. The company announced yesterday that it has raised $750,000 in seed funding from Google Ventures and United Kingdom-based PROFounders Capital. (GigaOm)

“It seems to me that Digital First is much more likely to solve the problem of building strong — and profitable — web-based local media than is AOL’s Patch,” writes Felix Salmon. “The first and most important reason is that local newspapers are, and always have been, the first best source of local ad-sales talent. … On the other side of the editorial divide, local newspapers are also the first best source of local news, and are generally much more respected and trusted in local communities than any cookie-cutter Patch site is likely to become.” (Reuters)

“Delaying its IPO could work to Groupon’s advantage,” writes Peter Krasilovsky. “Specifically, a delay might allow Groupon to add heft from new programs that are important to the company’s future, such as Groupon Getaways travel, and the GrouponNow ‘instant deals’ program.” (Local Onliner)

Locu, a data-focused startup founded by MIT graduates and computer science researchers, is closing a seed round of over $600,000. The company plans to create the world’s largest real-time, structured repository of small business offerings data, such as restaurant menus, with the goal of helping better local search. (TechCrunch)

Surrounded by the flashier digital markets of the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, digital players in Sacramento have made a splash with innovative hyperlocal and social efforts. (NetNewsCheck)

Inergize Digital announced Thursday that its Seek It Local hyperlocal business directory now includes a mobile app for Google Android mobile digital devices, joining the mobile apps offered on Apple’s iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. (Broadcasting&Cable)

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