Social (Birthday) Butterfly
A local Web site helps users save money and enhance their social lives. Zipscene.com is an entertainment Web site that works with bars, restaurants, night clubs, comedy clubs, arenas and other venues to help promote each venue and its events, drink specials, discounts, etc.
The business model is fairly simple, Zipscene Account Director Asheley Wessling says. The Web sites offers “a unique way” for bars and advertisers to gain exposure on the site through relevant content. Weekly e-mail blasts are sent out to about 98,000 subscribers highlighting the area’s hottest events, she says. The Web site’s core focus is to connect subscribers with their media partners.
“Our mission is to help increase business for the venues we work with and provide our subscribers with relevant entertainment content via our site, our media partners’ sites and our weekly newsletters,” she says.
On the account end, Zipscene works with bars, restaurants, nightclubs, comedy clubs, and entertainment arenas. The services include publishing tools, advertising opportunities, marketing services and affordable packaged solutions.
Subscribers benefit because they can see sign up for a free Zipscene card that provides access to discounts at several local venues.
The birthday program is a benefit for the 22,000 card holders. Wessling says all card members’ birthdays are recorded in a database. From here, Zipscene sends out an average of 250 e-mails daily to those whose birthdays fall within a two-week period. “The e-blasts contain a birthday greeting with information on where they could go to celebrate their birthday by including what venues have special birthday offers,” she says.
Examples of venue birthday offers include:
- Sully’s Saloon : Drink for free all night, courtesy of our sponsor with a free cover for everyone in your party. Our DJ will make the night unforgettable with a champagne toast and birthday shout outs. We can arrange great specials for all your friends as well. Call (513) 381-4302.
- Teller’s of Hyde Park: Free appetizer with the purchase of four entrees.
- Lodge Bar Cincinnati: Free cover, one Bucky Bowl to share, a $25 gift card and a birthday party bag! RSVP for reserved table or VIP area.
- Brown Dog Cafe: Bring in three of your friends and enjoy 50 percent off your entree when your friends purchase dinner entrees. In addition to 50 percent off, your party will receive discounted cocktails throughout the evening.
- Black Finn Cincinnati: Your entire group will enjoy $2 Miller Lite drafts, $3 house wines, $4 well drinks and $5 specialty martinis until 11 p.m., as well as no cover charge until 11 p.m. Private areas are available upon request. Sign up to get these specials. For questions, call (513) 721-3466.
- Mahogany’s Coffeehouse and Bar: Birthday person drinks free with party package up to $100 value. Offer includes a special birthday latte or adult beverage. You pick the flavor.
- Allure Contemporary Cuisine & Lounge — Montgomery: Show your Zipscene card and receive 50 percent off your entree.
Go to Zipscene.com to sign up for a membership card. To find out more about the exclusive member birthday deals, click on the offers/deals section on Zipscene.com. Following sign up, members will get an e-mail two weeks prior to the date with a reminder listing the featured venues. In general, Wessling says venues will honor the birthday deals seven days before and after the card holder’s birthday. To redeem a birthday offer, you must present your Zipscene card and a valid ID with birth date.
PHOTO CREDITS:
Photo: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Location: The McAlpin
Models (left to right): Tiffany Brown, Shari Baum, Christine Brunner
Makeup Artistry: Cecily Claytor, Zoë Custom Cosmetics
