Street Fight Daily: Uber’s Smear Tactics, Groupon Buys (Other) Swarm
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology…
Uber Executive Suggests Digging Up Dirt On Journalists (BuzzFeed)
A senior executive at Uber suggested that the company should consider hiring a team of opposition researchers to dig up dirt on its critics in the media — and specifically to spread details of the personal life of a female journalist who has criticized the company.
Why Brand Names Matter Less and Less on Main Street (Street Fight)
Steven Jacobs: The “brand era” that gave rise to some of the tentpoles of the American economy may soon come to an end. The web, now reachable wherever and whenever through smartphones, can help consumers answer many of the questions that brand once answered.
Groupon Acquires In-Store Analytics And Marketing Startup Swarm Mobile (TechCrunch)
Groupon just announced that it has acquired Swarm Mobile, a startup that helps businesses connect with and track their customers while in stores. Swarm uses in-store WiFi, Bluetooth, and infrared technology to track user behavior and deliver targeted promotions on smartphones.
Did Apple Just Transform Pay-Per-Call (Without Anyone Noticing)? (Street Fight)
Michael Boland: OSX Yosemite’s “Continuity” feature has received surprisingly little media attention in general and zero coverage for its implications for call monetization. But it could be a glimpse into the sector’s future.
U.S. Mobile Payments Market to Boom by 2019, Research Firm Says (New York Times)
Mobile-based payments in the United States are expected to reach $142 billion in volume in 2019. Forrester claims that the market has matured over the last five years, and it expects that the next five will be the tipping point bringing mobile payments into the mainstream.
Shazam Is Bringing Interactive Ads To Malls Throughout The US (The Next Web)
Shazam today announced a partnership with Adspace Networks that will bring interactive ads to over 200 malls across the United States. By using the Shazam app while viewing video advertisments, shoppers will be able to access special content and offers.
58% Of Local Marketers Will Change Tactics After Pigeon Update (Search Engine Land)
The general consensus among local SEOs is that Pigeon has delivered better changes for searchers than for businesses. The majority of those who completed the poll have either adjusted their search strategy or plan to do so.
Luxe Valet App Eliminates the Headache of Finding a Parking Spot (New York Times)
Farhad Manjoo: Every few years, I come across a new tech service that completely upends how I navigate urban life. Now it has happened again, with a new company that has instantly solved one of the most soul-destroying hardships of living or working in San Francisco: parking. The company is called Luxe Valet.
Warby Parker Adds Storefronts to Its Sales Strategy (Wall Street Journal)
Warby Parker has made a name for itself by selling affordable, hipster-chic eyeglasses through a website, avoiding costly store expenses and licensing fees. While that business has thrived, the startup’s promising next act is taking shape in a chain of storefronts dotting trendy retail neighborhoods. (Subscription required)
Snapchat to Let You Send Money to Friends, Thanks to Square (Recode)
Snapchat unveiled Snapcash on Monday, a new payments feature that allows users to send and receive money from friends through the app’s private messaging service. The new tool is powered by payments company Square, which operates its own similar service called Square Cash that allows people to send and receive money through its Cash app or email.
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