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Detroit Start-Up Quikly Powers New Social Campaign For Taylor Swift, DSW

By Edward Cardenas

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - A Detroit start-up is powering a new campaign which will give one lucky fan a chance to see Taylor Swift in concert in New York.

Quikly, the Detroit-based company tech company which "solves the problem of consumer engagement," is running the contest for DSW and Keds.

But unlike some contests, where large numbers of people enter with the hopes of randomly being selected, Quikly engages entrants to become more involved in the contest.

When the contest is announced, such as the one involving Taylor Swift, consumers opt - in for the chance to claim the grand prize - or a series of other prizes.

Those who enter the contest receive a secret link that is sent by text, or email, for a chance to claim the prize. The faster the users claim the prize, the bigger the prize.

To help improve their ranking, entrants can share information on various social media channels and email about the contest and invite others to participate. This gives entrants the opportunity to get an early notification of when the contest will go live.

Prizes for the Swift promotion include a trip to New York, Keds prize pack and DSW "exclusive offer."

According to officials with Quikly, states the on-line contest provides companies with data including how many new customers are gained, how much time they spend on the website and how many of the offers are redeemed.

This "gamifies" the contest for consumers, who don't want to miss out on the prize.

"We partner with brands to solve their consumer engagement problems. We see marketing as broken, consumers getting too many emails, too many text messages and too many social media updates," said Anthony Beven, Quikly director of marketing, of the campaigns which give businesses data and consumers prizes. "We are delivering demographically correct consumers as opposed to a sweepstakes which is deal seekers."

Some of the brands which have utilized the service includes Domino's, Pet Supplies Plus and Microsoft.

Quikly was founded in 2012, and is backed by Detroit Venture Partners.

It is now located in the M@dison Building, which allows Quikly "to be at the forefront of the growth of the tech community," said Anthony Beven, director of marketing.

An earlier previous campaign with Domino's Pizza offering 50,000 rewards including free pizza for a year resulted in all prizes being claimed within four minutes.

This report was updated at 4:28 p.m. Monday, April 20.

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