The Me Network is all about you. The Denver-based texting service provides information on deals when you want them. For example, within a few seconds of texting “Denver beer” to 63638, you’ll get three messages with happy-hour deals in the Denver area. Text “more” for additional specials.
And unlike e-mail programs that clog your inbox every morning, new discounts won’t show up until the next time you text 63638 — which spells MeNet on phones that still have letters on the dialpad.
Michael Stevens, an ad-agency veteran, founded the startup in 2009. The idea came to him when he saw a sidewalk chalkboard with specials at a restaurant on Platte Street in Denver.
“Platte Street is definitely removed from downtown, so it doesn’t get the walk-by lunch crowd,” said Stevens, 42. “They had some great specials on the chalkboard, and I thought there’s got to be an easy way for those guys to get that daily special chalkboard and put it on a mobile phone.”
The service held a soft launch last year during the annual SIA Snow Show in Denver, generating 2,400 searches. Today, the network has about 100 merchants — bars, restaurants, retailers, spas and other businesses — in the Denver area and a presence in 30 cities.
The service, though, needs more merchants to offer real value. A Denver Post test text with “Denver coffee” returned three restaurants with no deals. Another test with “Denver breakfast” generated one special. Andy Vuong, The Denver Post
