Groupon and Foursquare: A Happy Combo
The single-best deal, assertion, investment or other strategy this week.
Who: Groupon and Foursquare
Why: For considering a partnership that ties check-ins to daily deals
Daily deals leader Groupon and social location innovator Foursquare are in partnership talks, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The arrangement is likely to see Groupon deals targeted to Foursquare users’ check-ins. Mobile app users who tell their friends that they’re in the vicinity of a venue offering a discount are obviously prime customers. — Liz Gannes, AllThingsD
These two powerhouses could show the way for the next act in deals and mobile. As Street Fight guest poster and BIA/Kelsey analyst Michael Boland wrote this week, “The next natural step is to integrate mobile’s location awareness and buying intent to push deals that can be redeemed in minutes.” It’s a partnership that could perhaps stem the stream of criticism toward Foursquare, which has seen many questioning the longevity its model. And it is the natural next step for Groupon, which has been moving into immediacy, most recently with its Groupon Now launch.
Here’s what some other folks said:
I still think Groupon and Foursquare might be better off combining forces even more tightly, given their complementary talents. — Liz Gannes, AllThingsD
A combination of the two companies makes sense. Foursquare would benefit from the flood of location-based deals that Groupon could provide, and Groupon would get a geosocial platform to turn Groupon Now into a major success. It would also gain a team with expertise in geolocation and mobile engagement. – Ben Parr, Mashable
It’s a smart idea where everyone wins. Foursquare gets a partner with huge reach and some cash, Groupon gets a new customer acquisition channel and consumers get deals. — Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry, Business Insider
Do you think they’re on to something? Post your view in the comments.