Kyle
(photo: adage.com)
Wendr is a new mobile social app that launched in February at the onset of Social Media week in New York. It has many of the same characteristics of the Ft.Lauderdale startup we profiled yesterday called MyNyte. In trying out both apps MyNyte has a more personal feeling to it. However Wendr is hoping to lend their technology to AB InBev (Anheiser Busch) the makers of Budweiser.
The two month old startup won a $25,000 partnership with the beverage giant in Manhattan Wednesday as part of Ad Age’s Digital Conference. The hackathon was called “Brand Hack” and the wet behind the ears CEO Sam Zises blew away the competition, not necessarily with the app itself but with his total package.
Ad Age’s Jason DelRay report that not only did Zises bring his customized app called “Buds By Budweiser” but he engaged the crowd at one point doing a wardrobe change on stage from his Wendr hat to a hat that was already emblazoned with a “Buds By Budweiser” logo. This is the kind of thing that gets investors and contest judges engaged with the people presenting as much as the idea itself. A point echoed by Fubu founder and ABC Shark Tank Shark Daymond John in a recent Google+ Hangout Townhall meeting with high school students studying business.
More after the break
The app itself is a revamp of the current Wendr app. The app allows users to find friends, or “buddies” to go out with at night. Then they find venues that are serving Budweiser beer. Next you can check into Foursquare to alert other friends of where you’re drinking Budweiser at and then earn some kind of discount or drink special from the establishment.
AB InBev executives said they may not use that specific idea but the $25,000 partnership is a commitment to Zises and his team that they will develop some kind of brand experiment with Wendr centered around the idea of planning a night out through social networking.
As for the show Zises put on, before founding Wendr Zises worked for PR giant Ogilvy and Big Fuel both companies are known for pushing the envelope to expose their clients branding. It paid off for Zises, especially considering the fact that AB InBev is pitched constantly by some the powerhouse ad and PR agencies in the world.
source: AdAge
