In the know, on the go: Winter Haven man develops app listing events, social activities in real time
WINTER HAVEN — Jon Lane is one of the first users of PROMO app and he's had positive results.
“You can pull the app up wherever you are and see right away what’s going on; it’s a way to know what’s going on even if you’re not local,” he said. “It shows live active events in real time and at that moment.”
Launched on the major app stores Apple and Google in late April, PROMO app was designed by George O’Neill III, a Polk County native who was raised in Lake Wales.
Lane, 36, opened Haven Coffee Roasters in 2021 and along with his wife, Lynsey, oversees eight employees. The Lakeland resident said he’s used PROMO for two or three coffee shop events, such as live music Saturdays, certain “theme” days and is still working with PROMO staff to help them identify ways to use it more efficiently.
PROMO combines various aspects of social media apps such as Facebook with the ticketing services websites such as Ticketmaster, O'Neill said from his Winter Haven office. He said he designed the app with innovative features not found on any other apps.
O’Neill and his eight-member staff keep the app updated and allow users to see what events and entertainment options are going on nearby, in real time.
“We already have people waiting around Winter Haven to start accessing and using the app; we’re ready to rock and roll,” said O’Neill, who grew up working in a sculpture shop with his parents, George and Amy O’Neill.
Among the features that make PROMO unique, said O’Neill, is what he calls “the promotional deal aspect.” This feature allows users a way to earn rewards based on sharing tendencies. For example, he said if someone is going to a movie at a local theater and the event link is shared through Facebook (if the event uses the promotional event feature and Facebook is used for sharing) the user can possibly win a discounted ticket or a free bag of popcorn or other benefits.
“It’s automated infrastructure facilitating automated social media engagement in exchange for goods and services,” said O’Neill. “It’s essentially a way for businesses to save money spent on social media advertising and offers social media engagement for free.”
PROMO also has a map feature that allows users to visually see events taking place. By clicking on events on a map showing the surrounding area, an app user can get more information about the event posting, the time the event is taking place, if tickets remain for the event and their cost or if the event has any promotional features.
Andrew Allen, CEO of Z Axis Solutions, a Winter Haven marketing firm, said what makes Lane’s app stand out is its ability to combine an event-going experience.
“It’s geared to small businesses, philanthropic institutions, local governments,” he said. “It gives small businesses the power back to control their marketing and event rather than pay a company to advertise an event with no guarantees.”
O’Neill said another benefit of PROMO app is that consumers using it won’t have to pay ticketing fees or for other ticketing services. He says the promo-deal feature is another standout for his app. His goal is to see the app become practical and extensively used day to day.
“I’d like to someday go into an establishment and be waiting in line and watching someone participate in the promo deal in front of me without them even knowing I developed the app,” he said.
PROMO app can be downloaded for free on the Apple and Android app stores.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: In the know, on the go: Winter Haven man develops real-time events app
