iLoop targets local retailers with mobile marketing solution

iLoop Mobile is taking its mobile marketing strategy to small, local retailers, with a new program called SlingShop. The program can help small- and medium-sized retailers develop mobile marketing campaigns around loyalty efforts, check-in applications and custom discount deals.
iLoop has made a name for itself in the mobile marketing space by grabbing big-name clients like Coca-Cola, McDonalds and Visa. CEO Matt Harris said the company is now turning its attention to smaller, local retailers that want mobility as part of their marketing strategy, but don’t have the resources to develop their own programs.
SlingShop, which will launch in the second quarter, addresses those problems by connecting enterprises with customers. SlingShop sends deals to customers via a mobile app that customers can see when they are nearby. The customer seeing the deal then has to go into the shop to redeem the deal. Once the customer is in the store, their mobile device connects to the retailer’s tablet via a game. In one game, for example, the customer uses his device like a sling shot to hit the retailer’s tablet to win a prize. “We wanted it to be fun,” said Harris, noting many of iLoop’s developers come from the gaming sector.
The company plans to use its go-to-market partners to publicize the solution, which is easy for retail owners to use and doesn’t require technical knowledge. SlingShop initially will be available on Apple Inc.’s operating system but also will be developed for Google Inc.’s Android OS.