About 70 percent of consumers drop an app after just one use, reports VentureBeat. For all mobile app companies out there, that's a pretty scary statistic. To avoid this problem, the makers behind Farmville, Scramble With Friends, and Draw Something are prepared to pay consumers for their loyalty, thanks to one Massachusetts company.
On Wednesday, Boston-based SessionM partnered with social gaming company Zynga to provide in-game, real-world rewards for loyal players.
Such rewards are a specialty for SessionM in it's mobile loyalty and interactive ad platform. The company will first embed the rewards in one Zynga's most popular mobile apps, Scramble With Friends.
Gamers who unlock in-game achievements will win mPoints that can be redeemed for rewards outside of the realm of the game, like iTunes or Amazon gift cards. If those options fail to spark interest, players can enter SessionM sweepstakes for a chance to win a bigger potluck.
Starting in July 2013, players will see a small icon in Scramble With Friends, providing them with the option to play for rewards and earn loyalty points; therefore, the partnership will be able to reward active and loyal gamers, while giving advertisers new opportunities to establish valuable, "opt-in" engagement-based video ads.
Since its 2011 founding, SessionM has been offering this all-in-one rewards and advertising mobile game model to big name friends, including American Express, Degree, Statefarm Insurance, Ford, HBO, Old Navy, and Universal Studios.
“We are delighted to add Zynga to our growing list of partners as we endeavor to build the world’s largest mobile rewards network,” said Bill Clifford, chief revenue officer at SessionM, to VentureBeat. “Zynga’s massive, engaged audience will love being rewarded for their gameplay and brands will love the results they see from this proven platform. It’s a true ‘win’ for both.”
Currently located in the Fort Point area of Boston, SessionM employees 60 people. Lars Albright, Scott Weller, and Mark Herrman founded the company back in 2011. To date, the company has raised $26.5 million from Charles River Ventures, Highland Capital, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Developer partners include Crackle, Runtastic, Moviefone, The Weather Channel, Family Feud & Friends, MTV News, and Dictionary.com.
