Foursquare, one of the latest mobile phone apps, is used as a social guide to the city a user lives in, allowing them to ‘check in’ wherever you happen to be at the moment. For instance, someone gets up in the morning, goes to work, and checks in. Those who you are friends with or who are in your contact list will see that this person is at work. Now say they leave work and go to the mall. They then check in at the mall. Kind of cool when it comes to the social aspect of the app, but what does this have to do with marketing strategy?

The whole point of using Foursquare is to encourage users to venture out into the city in which they live, and then reward them for doing so. Therefore, business involvement is important. In order for this to really take off as a highly successful marketing strategy, businesseses need to continue to get involved.

The first step for business involvement is for the business to visit their venue’s Foursquare page, and claim that they manage the venue. After doing so, the business manager can offer those who check in at their business special offers and discounts. For example, some restaurants will serve you a free appetizer just for checking in, and all they have to do is show the server. Retailers will offer discounts on specific products. Bars and other venues will encourage higher numbers of visitors by offering a special or discount only after a certain number of people have checked in. I don’t know about you, but free food and drinks always sounds appealing to me.

The rewards get sweeter the more loyal the user is to the places they frequent most. Visit a venue enough, and they will become ‘Mayor’ of that specific place. Sounds a bit strange, but ‘Mayor’ status will give users the greatest benefits, and the most free goods and upgrades. Basically, a user’s loyalty is rewarded.

If you think about it, this app started out just as Facebook did. A form of social networking, keeping in touch with friends, and even meeting new people. But it has essentially become a giant marketing tool for hundreds of thousands of brands and businesses throughout the world. The same is true of Foursquare; it is becoming a powerful marketing tool by engaging users and rewarding their exploration with discounted (in some cases free) food, drinks, merchandise, etc.

As a user, Foursquare is a way to learn about new places, receive discounts and get free stuff. As a business owner, it’s a way to get new customers in the door and reward faithful ones as well. Who would have thought that a little smart phone app could bring friends closer, and give you free stuff too? Sounds like Foursquare is really onto something.

Perhaps one of the most important elements in marketing a brand or product is to connect with the consumers. I believe that Foursquare has come up with a very interactive way of engaging people, which can be fairly difficult at times. But this app actually links businesses out there to people directly in their vicinity, and pulls them in with reward incentives. Not only that, but this strategy promotes incentive for customers to return time and time again, which again can be very difficult to do in today’s competitive market. Coupons may serve the same purpose, but with the whole social networking craze among us, I think that Foursquare has really come up with something interesting and fresh. It’s a fantastic way to get people out of the house, on to the town, and into surrounding businesses.

With sunny skies, 85 degree weather, and cultures from around the world, BrightBox attended this years iFest 2010 to partake in the great entertainment and eats. This years festival honored the caribbean. Customs, crafts, foods, dance, literature, arts and live music spanned througout the entire festival, including a special performance from George Clinton.

Got an event you’d like us to check out? Let us know at info@brightboxonline.com

Houston, TX- BrightBox is looking forward to their largest presence yet at the Offshore Technology Conference 2010. The BrightBox-ShowBox and most recently added, InkBox team have constructed and contributed booths for 24 clients in the oil and gas industry.

Among some of the clients that will have display booths by the BrightBox team are CapRock Communications, Versabar, MetaRock, Titan Technologies, RTI Energy Systems, and many more.

The BrightBox team is excited to be a part of the growth and expansion of these 24 clients present and wishes them success at this years Offshore Technology Conference. For more information on services that BrightBox can provide, please visit www.brightboxonline.com. For ShowBox visit www.showboxexhibits.com.

BrightBox, ShowBox and InkBox are all located at 4747 S. Pinemont in Houston, Texas 77041. For more information about our digital printing services and more, please call 281.252.0979 or visit www.inkboxprinting.com and fill out an online job request to find out how InkBox can help you today.

About BrightBox

BrightBox is a Houston-based brand marketing and design firm serving companies spanning various industries. BrightBox provides client with a wide range of services including brand strategy, graphic design, animation, video production, copy writing, public relations, web development, and marketing communications.

Houston, TX, April 20, 2010—BrightBox, a Houston-based full service brand marketing and design firm, is pleased to announce the expansion of their company to include a complete digital printing division, InkBox.

With the addition of InkBox, BrightBox will now offer a complete suite of marketing services through the latest in digital printing equipment and a staff full of industry veterans, including InkBox President, Mick Maynard. From towering large-format graphics, to elegantly detailed business cards, InkBox has the capability to create vibrant media. Clients can look to BrightBox for a variety of affordable graphic solutions that can be integrated into their current marketing strategies.

“The addition of InkBox is in response to listening to our clients’ needs and providing them with services at an even broader range,” says BrightBox COO Patrick McDonough. “Our customers will no longer have to choose between quality and quick turnaround.”

InkBox’s parent company, BrightBox, offers full-service brand marketing and design, while the third member of the BrightBox family, ShowBox, manufactures trade show booths and exhibit displays on-site, providing the most comprehensive set of marketing/advertising solutions in the industry.

BrightBox, ShowBox and InkBox are all located at 4747 S. Pinemont in Houston, Texas 77041. For more information about our digital printing services and more, please call 281.252.0979 or visit www.inkboxprinting.com and fill out an online job request to find out how InkBox can help you today.

About BrightBox

BrightBox is a Houston-based brand marketing and design firm serving companies spanning various industries. BrightBox provides client with a wide range of services including brand strategy, graphic design, animation, video production, copy writing, public relations, web development, and marketing communications. For more information, visit www.brightboxonline.com

The BrightBox team headed west this past weekend to experience the famed Coachella Valley Music Festival. Arriving on Day 2 of the 3 day festival, the team caught performances by the xx, Hot Chip, MGMT, Major Lazer, Muse, Faith No More, Bassnectar and the Raveonettes. Between sets, and to escape the dessert heat before sunset, the BrightBox team headed to the fully air-conditioned Heineken domes to mingle with concert goers and fellow media magnates. Once the sun did disappear behind the mountainous skyline, the air turned frigid and the crowds exploded. Either you are moving fast or you’ll get run over because there was no stopping these masses from catching their shows. On the last day of Coachella, BrightBox saw performances by Thom Yorke, Gorillaz, Spoon and Matt & Kim.

Before heading back to the BrightBox headquarters, the team stopped off in Los Angeles to meet with Yaron Tilajef of Media Temple, Chef & Lifestyle expert Pace Webb of Taste of Paste, and actor/musician Ryan Donowho.

The trip to California was brief but widespread, thence after an eventful weekend, the BrightBox team headed back to Houston to prepare for their next big event… OTC 2010!

Houston, TX – Showbox Exhibits assisted BICO Drilling Tools in hosting their Grilled Steak – Thru Tubing Luncheon held at the new, 72,000 square foot BICO US Headquarters. The event provided an opportunity for relationship building in a relaxed setting that showcased BICO Drilling Tools’ brand new facility and their state of the art service capabilities.

The luncheon was themed in a true western tradition of grilling the finest steaks over an open flame. Guests were treated to a brief tour that finished at BICO’s custom grilling pit and the sizzle and aroma of outdoor cooking.

A split rail corral and old fashioned iced tea bar helped add to the fun along with beautifully set tables for the guests to mix and mingle with BICO employees. The luncheon was such a success that BICO is already planning a full open house event to follow in May. ShowBox will once again assist with the next event.

BICO Drilling Tools, Inc is a recognized leader in the design, manufacture and service of downhole thru-tubing drilling motors, drilling jars, shock subs, hole opening equipment in the oilfield, mining and HDD industries. For more information, please visit www.bicodrilling.com.

BrightBox is a Houston-based brand marketing and design firm serving companies spanning various industries. BrightBox provides clients with a wide range of services including brand strategy, graphic design, animation, video production, copywriting, public relations, marketing communications, and trade show exhibit design. For more information, please visit www.brightboxonline.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(HOUSTON, TX)…TITAN® Technologies International, Inc. based in Houston, Texas, recently chose Houston brand marketing and design firm, BrightBox, Inc. (www.brightboxonline.com) to assist in establishing a corporate marketing plan and a unique and consistent corporate identity.

BrightBox will establish a starting point for TITAN® corporate marketing to grow. They will handle logo treatments, corporate identity packages, website design, brochures, and other marketing communication collateral for Titan Technologies. Titan currently serves as a leading manufacturer in bolting products and services.

TITAN® Technologies International, Inc. is the fastest growing bolting product business with established distribution in over 50 countries on six continents. Titan attributes this exceptional business growth to their strong philosophical pillars and business foundations but they would like to ensure that the TITAN® brand reflects their ability to be recognized by all as a company that delivers tools, bolting solutions and top service at competitive prices for the quality and life of their products as well as the services offered.

TITAN® is a unique company in the fact that they are the first company in the Hydraulic Torque Wrench industry to introduce product design form Finite Element Analysis and to bring to the industry the full benefits of modern engineering and advanced machining technology. BrightBox is excited to create a strong, cohesive brand identity that highlights the specialized features and benefits available to clients working with TITAN®.

About TITAN® Technologies

TITAN® is a Delaware Corp and a wholly owned subsidiary of TTI Holdings, LLC. TTI Holdings LLC is owned by the principals and employees of TITAN®. Since its inception, Titan’s proven technology and quality products have made it the fastest growing company in its field doubling in size in the past two consecutive years. TITAN® has established distribution of state-of-the-art bolting products, services worldwide and is headquartered in Houston. For more information, visit www.titanti.com

The BrightBox teams last day at the SXSW Interactive festival was well spent. Melissa Howey and Crystal Lee started the day at the Media Temple BBQ, where they met with Bing.com promo teams and DYN.

Afterwards they headed downtown to attend the Houston @ SXSW event, where March Nathan of ChaiONE introduced the girls to Culture Map and The Planet officials. Also in attendance from Houston was Brandy Obvintsev of Energy People Connect.

Next up, the BrightBox team then hit the Microsoft Party and Interactive Gallery, where they kept company with Defense Web folks, Converdge CEO, and Mugasha Co-founder. It was quite an experience, as there were Microsoft installations that showcase the future of multi-touch and mobile interfaces and devices. To top it off, both Crystal Lee and Melissa Howey received gift bags that included Windows 7 Ultimate, Microsoft expression studio 3, and Visual Studio 2010.

This concludes the BrightBox Team’s trip to SXSW Interactive 2010. Lots of connections were made, and many prospective clients were met. Next year, look for us on the Panels!

Day 3 began with lunch at Huts Hamburgers with Chris Hale of Rebels Honky Tonk, the successful Texas country bar located on 5th street. Lunch was followed by a cupcake social at The Tiniest Bar in Texas where there was a variety of amazingly delicious cupcakes from local bakeries like Bellisimo Bakery, Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Toot Sweets Bakery, L’s Cupcake Delivery, Austin Cake Ball< Kristen from Sugar Skull and PolkaDots. Good thing we were doing so much walking all over Austin this week!

We then made our way over to the Zone Perfect Nutrition Bar “Live.Create” lounge where we fueled up while participating in some of the interactive activities such as the magnetic poetry wall and painting. We took a short break and broke our creative concentration to conduct an interview on the importance of SXSWi for small businesses. Check back to see the interview once it is posted online! We met with the owner of Mobile 17, Ben Guild, who explained to us his innovative business that he started when he was just 17 years old. Mobile 17 is a ringtone maker website that enables users to create mobile content (such as ringtones and graphics) at no-charge. Ben has already received mentions in publications such as Popular Science and Men’s Health magazine! We wrapped up the day early at the Mashable Mash Bash located at Pure Volume House in order to preserve our energy for the festivities of Day 4.

Another great day in Austin as the BrightBox team attended various SXSW activities. Crystal Lee and Melissa Howey started out the day at the Pure Volume House for the South by Small Business event. They took pictures with Miley Cyrus and Fabio, just before discovering there was a capybara outside, also known as the Giant Hamster.

After a run-in with the world’s largest rodent, the crew headed to noted web design agency Happy Cog’s karaoke event. The performances were interesting. Some funny, some not so funny, but all were entertaining. Before retiring for the night, Crystal Lee spent time with the Media Temple crew, discussing some of the panels at SXSW Interactive this year. Meanwhile, Melissa Howey spent the rest of the evening chatting with editorial director Bianca Camamued of Designer Social. All in all, an eventful day, spent meeting dynamic and creative individuals of the web world.