Project Description

I was approached by DABsquared about a new twist on dating apps, the idea was to spark a conversation with other people in your vicinity.  Spark Social was the first dating app that utilized Bluetooth LE to detect and send messages to those near you.  This allows people to connect and send messages even without cell phone service.  Spark Social could be used to messages your friends at an event or concerts where there is no service.  Instead of gathering up the courage to approach someone you don’t know at an event, a person could spark a conversation with someone else looking to spark a conversation.

I joined as the marketing manager and got to work creating a detailed five-year marketing plan including commercials, merchandise, and sweepstakes.  I created and managed our online presence which included Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.  Before the app launched, I released weekly posts with updates, pictures, and even videos to build awareness.  While the app was being developed I held multiple focus groups asking our target audience how they felt about the app, any concerns they had, and if they had any suggestions for features they would like to see.

For the app’s launch, I created a brand ambassador program to help build brand awareness and to increase app downloads.  I was tasked with recruiting, managing, and deploying the brand ambassadors.  I would instruct them to go to popular places like restaurants, bars, and events to reach out to the public about our amazing new app.  I designed and ordered lanyards, bottle openers, shirts, sweatshirts and more for them to give out while they talked to people about our app.  In the areas where the brand ambassadors visited, our downloads increased by more than 200%.