With so many brands trying their hands at location-based marketing campaigns, one has to wonder: Is Foursquare really effective as a platform for bringing in new business? McDonald’s seems to think so.
Head of social media, Rick Wion, admitted that McDonald’s was able to increase foot traffic to stores by 33% in one day with a little Foursquare ingenuity.
McDonald’s total cost for the successful campaign was a measly $1,000.
The company used 100 randomly awarded $5 and $10 giftcards as checkin bait to lure in potential diners. The bait also worked to attract the media’s attention and resulted in more than 50 articles covering McDonald’s Foursquare special.
The campaign worked in both digital and real world capacities. Patrons flocked to McDonald’s restaurants for the chance to win giftcards in exchange for checkins, and 600,000 online denizens opted to follow and fan the brand on social media sites.
IN OTHER MCDONALD’S NEWS, an American tourist, accused of assaulting Australian Labor MP Paul Gibson may have charges against him dropped because of visa problems.
The hearing for the assault by Mario Norman, which took place in the carpark of a Sydney McDonald’s in June, is due to start in December, almost three months after the tourist’s visa to remain in Australia expires.
With Norman required to leave Australia next week, Mr Leamey said he ran the risk of not being allowed to re-enter the country for the December hearing because he has an assault charge before the court.
More on McDonald’s Foursquare Campaign at Mashable.
