Office Depot Leveraging New Location-Based Marketing App In-Store
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
New Shazam app helps Office Depot connect with its customers
Office Depot has rolled out a new location-based mobile marketing app, Shazam In-Store, in all of its Office Depot and OfficeMax retail store locations throughout the country. The solution combines Shazam, one of the world's most popular apps, with proprietary technology from Mood Media, according to a press release.
“Proprietary apps for mobile devices are expensive to develop and are often underutilized by customers, but Shazam’s massive user base allows businesses to benefit from a high probability of connecting with customers through that platform,” said Ken Eissing, President of Mood Media, North America. “Shazam In-Store provides a one-of-a-kind, cost-effective solution that lowers the threshold for brands to execute on an interactive mobile marketing strategy.”
As Forbes Magazine explains, the Shazam app uses Mood’s “Presence” signal, which works like a digital watermark. Shazam allows users to identify a particular song. So when a customer pulls out their iPhone to Shazam a song, the app is able to read the inaudible audio code embedded in the retailers’ overhead music system to determine the location of the shopper. When the app retrieves the information about the requested song, it will also provide a special offer or geo-location-created content for participating retailers.
“Shazam In-Store builds on the magic of Shazam by giving users one-touch access to targeted interactive content from retailers and brands, without the need to search or type,” said Rich Riley, Chief Executive Officer, Shazam. “Retailers can now utilize the Shazam Platform to create local mobile experiences for their customers.”
Office Depot, Inc. is currently utilizing the solution in all of its Office Depot and OfficeMax retail store locations throughout the country. So far, they are the largest retail chain to adopt the app, though it is likely that others will follow suit in the coming months.
“Office Depot, Inc. believes in the power of technology, and mobile is an extension of our in-store and online shopping experience for customers,” said Emery Skolfield, senior director, digital marketing for Office Depot, Inc. “Shazam and Mood Media have provided a new and simple way for us to connect and interact with our customers inside the store.”