‘Mobilizing’ Sponsored Festivals And Events
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Scotiabank, one of Canada’s ‘big five’ banks and Simply Good Technologies, Toronto, have announced a new mobile experience for Smartphone users that will now give them the ability to navigate through events and access key information while on-the-go.
Starting with Scotiabank Caribana 2010, all Scotiabank-sponsored festivals and events will have a free interactive mobile application for iPhone, Blackberry and Android users.
Smartphone users can look forward to Capturefy, allowing them to capture event images to launch and upload content. In addition, integrated GPS/mapping will deliver easy-to-follow directions; and event specific information/content and social connection will be easily accessed, as will real-time sharing and location-specific mapping to events and public transit.
After the successful launch of the free Night Navigator mobile app for the 2009 Scotiabank Nuit Blanche in Toronto last October, Scotiabank and Simply Good Technologies are again partnering to provide more user-friendly, Smartphone apps. At Scotiabank Nuit Blanche contemporary art event, smartphone users were able to obtain exhibit information simply by snapping a photo from the printed guides or posters. The app also allowed visitors to rate exhibits, vote for their favourites, obtain location-specific information and recommendations on exhibits, access photo collections and discussion forums, and more. That Night Navigator app is still available for download and will be updated with this year’s event information later this summer.
“From marathons to cultural celebrations, by working with Simply Good, Scotiabank is helping redefine people’s mobile experience to make attending any Scotiabank sponsored festival much more accessible and enjoyable,” says Rick White, Scotiabank vice-president, marketing. “When the Scotiabank Caribana app launches, attendees will have ‘de vibe’ in their hands to help them navigate and participate in the festival. At the same time, mobile users will be able to find public transit and navigate around any road-closures that will be in effect. ”
“Using the latest in mobile technology, we are creating an even better experience for the Smartphone device owner,” said Bill McLean, co-founder of Simply Good. “We enjoy pushing the boundaries to see what current technology can really bring to an event experience. At the same time, our work with Scotiabank is leading the way in creating new opportunities for businesses to engage directly with consumers which helps companies have a new kind of conversation with their customers.”
POIfriend Inc., innovator of the unique point-of-interest community poifriend.com, and Simply Good Technologies, developer of the image recognition system Capturefy, recently combined forces to create Simply Good, which focuses on expanding the range and scope of interactive mobile applications it brings to market.
Using the best of image capture/upload capabilities, GPS technology and social connection, Simply Good is redefining the consumer’s mobile experience and creating boundary-shifting brand-engagement opportunities for marketers.
“Simply Good will continue to innovate on the cutting edge of mobile-enabled technology,” says Winston Mok, co-founder and head of product realization, Simply Good. “Our company is driven to develop new technologies designed to positively influence consumer behaviour.”
Follow DailyDOOH