SCVNGR and AT&T are teaming up to use geo-location gaming to promote the recently-introduced Samsung Galaxy S Android phone, the Captivate.
If you’re not familiar with SCVNGR, you should check out its apps on the iPhone or Android because it offers a fun take on the check-in craze that is taking off.
Techcrunch has the skinny on the deal with AT&T and the Samsung Captivate promotion:
T&T will be using SCVNGR to offer three rewards: if you earn two SCVNGR points, you’ll get a free giftcard for a ring tone. Earn five points and you get 20% off accessories. And, in an especially compelling offer, if you earn 15 points at a store you get $50 off the phone — not too shabby. The deal is currently only running in the midwest
SCVNGR is getting some cash for this deal from AT&T but it isn’t disclosing how much this will be. If the move is successful, there’s a chance it could expand to more markets.
The SCVNGR, AT&T promotion for the Samsung Captivate is a good experiment in location-based marketing and I’m sure we’re going to see a lot more of these over the next few years. Companies like Foursquare and Gowalla are also working on deals with local retailers that will reward users for checking in.
Of course, one of the problems with this type of service is that it requires relatively precise location information and the Galaxy S Android devices are notorious for having poor GPS capabilities. We’ve provided a way to fix this issue in the short term but a full software update should be coming from Samsung soon.
That real location issue may open the door for companies like shopkick, which uses in-store equipment to ensure that those checking in are actually in the retail establishment. It will be interesting to see how the mainstream takes to these check-in promotions.
[Via TechCrunch]