GrouponNow is a locational, mobile-based gift certificate store, in which consumers can find nearby deals from local merchants and purchase them on their phone. The first two buttons ask users to simply choose between "I'm bored" and "I'm hungry." Here's where they are launching first and how to compete. more

Forkfly, which offers a turnkey, integrated mobile coupon app, has shown surprisingly good results in its first media partnership, which launched at the end of March, 2011. Exclusive by DMA, Forkfly's functionality is super fast and loaded, including locational technology and push notification outside the app, which can be controlled by the merchant. Pioneer's Herald&News says the first three days resulted in 150 downloads of the app. Here is the implementation strategy, full results and our take on the platform. more

Halfoffdeals and HalfOffdepot are both nationally branded companies that offer merchants advertising trade in return for gift certificates sold in an online store. Now two stores, MercPerks, created by The Portland Mercury (owned by The Stranger) and Kostizi, owned by Salt Lake City Weekly are alternative weekly-owned certificate stores that offer white label platforms to affiliates. Included are case studies on first year revenues, how the programs work, and how they compare to each other. more

The Cocktail Compass, developed by The Stranger in Seattle, is a great example of an mobile app developed for a specific niche - in this case the bars and club franchise. Here's how it works. more

In the past year, Valpak.com, owned by Cox Enterprises in Atlanta, has entered the mobile coupon market in force. A pop-up window collects SMS opt-ins from every digital visitor. more

Long Island Radio Group shifted its business model to build a standalone coupon site, yourli.com. Here's their formula and lessons learned from this transformational initiative, winner of a Borrell Associates 2010 Innovation Award. more