Uber Uber Uber!!! Uber is all the rage these days. They have built an amazing partner marketing machine. I wanted to point out 2 things they are doing that I’m blown away by.
1. Partnership with Google Maps
If you use Google Maps and you have the Uber app installed on your phone. Google Maps will suggest Uber as an option along with the public transit options! This is a pretty big up-sell given that they show you travel times (twice as fast in most cases).
I have no idea how they pulled this off or if there is any money exchange here, but this is some serious prime placement. This is equivalent to going into a grocery store and having your product right next to the cash register.
2. Coupon Codes on Steroids
Every startup is doing the “Get $20 off your first purchase”. This works great, because who doesn’t want free money and startups need to incentive new users to try out their app.
What Uber is doing differently is they are using this strategy with big brands like Lord & Taylor, with major hotels like Hyatt, and big concert venues. This is a pretty amazing strategy, because all those places have customers that need transportation and can afford a cab.
Uber also makes it super easy for you to partner with them. According to their support docs, all you have to do is submit a request here. Well done Uber! Excited to learn more from you.
The Google Maps integration might have something to do with Google Ventures investing in Uber
http://techcrunch.com/2013/08/22/google-ventures-puts-258m-into-uber-its-largest-deal-ever/
Good point! That might have a lot to do with it 🙂
The Google Maps integration is really cool! I wonder if they will do this for other apps that you have installed on your phone.
I have a feeling this is a special deal google made with Uber… and don’t think other apps will be integrated like this.
interesting post Rishi !
in addition to the sales angle, from a marketing perspective – partnering with big popular brands like Lord & Taylor and Hyatt is awesome social proof. compells people to try Uber even if you are not going via Lord & Taylor/Hyatt.
Good thinking Anupam. Also, it makes Hyatt and the other big brands look good because they look like the “Good Guys” by giving their customers a discount.
yep. its a Win-Win !
the google maps deal is a lil’ different – just like Amy pointed out – it is the google ventures angle. and with a valuation of 17$B – there is a lot at stake for Google to make Uber a success ! i wouldn’t be surprised if “take an Uber ride” shows up on the google search page. LOL:-)
I love uber….
It recently started in mumbai.
And when our driver went on leave, dad used it all the time.
I like the fact, you dont need to pre-book
wow! I had no idea it was such a huge hit in Mumbai – that is insane. Those guys are growing so fast.
But, yeah I like the fact that you can just click a button and get a car.
Uber has to be one of the most amazing companies in the world these days. I cannot believe they got placement IN the google maps app. WTF!! 🙂
LOL! That was my reaction too!!
Great Read! They have recently started a chopper hire in India too! Its pretty cool…
an UBER Chooper!! just google’ed it – check out this amazing pic:
They just also ran a ride in Optimus prime for the new transformers movie coming out.
that is sooo cool – they create “Buzz” like no other man. Thanks for posting that pic – so crazy that you can rent that and roll up in it.
Uber is also a Google Ventures portfolio company, so it begs the question of whether or not this is some kind of sweetheart deal, though Google always maintains its venture arm operates independently from the rest of the organization.
Uber also recently partnered up with AT&T to bring a pre-loaded Uber app on select phones & I think available in around 38 countries around the globe!