Where Da Party At?
Filed under: Internet
Every so often a really great song comes out. You know the one that’s a booty shaking, dance-dance revolution making, groovy gliding smash? So you go out with your friends for a night of boogying when you end up at a place with a never ending 80’s track and DJ still rocking in that same decade. It’s such a disappointment. Not to mention, you don’t get to enjoy that awesome song with your dancing buddies. If only you could throw in your own Dance Diva Play List (hypothetical name) right? Well, what if I told you that the party-goers actually picked the bar’s music… via SMS?
MyStrands, a firm that uses patented algorithms to help online subscribers find music they’ll like, is going to revolutionize the way people interact in a party setting. PartyStrands is the newest product from MyStrands, which allows users to send a text message with their favorite artist, to the bar’s DJ or computer-based sound system and immediately influence the music selection and work their song into the mix. Each user will have a “party name” (yep, that’s right) which will appear on the video monitors around the bar, along with an avatar icon or a link to their FaceBook or MySpace page. In addition to creating play lists, users can vote on drink specials or ask someone to dance (just in case all your one-liners failed that night). Users can also check the partyStrands site to see where the party is in their neighborhood, who’s there and what music is being played. It’s nightlife pre-screening!
Basically, partyStrands is the new partying for the MySpace Generation. They are all about music, technology, and immediate gratification and this service is providing a link between online existence and everyday reality. It’s a way for people with the same like in music and bars to come together.
I think this is genius. It’s simple to get a song request actually played, see who the people are that participate in the playlists, and check out where the hot spots are for the night. Plus the costs to the bar owners or party organizers are none. The only costs are to the user for the texts (50 cents per text), and advertisers for flash banner ads shown on the video monitors, partyStrands’ Web site, and the user’s mobile Web viewscreen. Drink it up liquor companies because I think there’s going to be a huge trend in this user generated bar scene. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of this nightlife revolution? Count me in, minus the awkward “I’m to shy to ask you to dance” text. Otherwise, charge up the cell, the playlists, and pour me a cold one.
Just a few other examples of how SMS is changing company’s strategies:
Starbucks seeks to make it easier for people to locate the nearest place for a coffee fix. Searchers simply include their zip code in a text sent to MYSBUX and a list of stores will be returned. McDonalds offers electronics payments and special promotions for mobile users.
Tags: Internet Culture, Internet Trends, Mobile Marketing, Social Networking, web 2.0
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