The great state of Texas is known for many things … not the least of which is their world famous BARBECUE.

Download from Android Market

East or West Texas style. Brisket, pulled pork or ribs – whatever taste you like, this app is for you. The Texas Monthly BBQ Finder will help you locate the best barbecue eateries – in Texas and beyond. You’ll be hooked in to the community of BBQ lovers, with reviews, tips and directions. You’ll even be able to add your own flavor preferences and rib-joint reviews. This new mobile app is now available on both Android and iPhone platforms, with the Android version developed by Indy’s Boost Media, for Emmis Communications (parent company of Texas Monthly).

“Boost did a terrific job producing the Android version of our Texas BBQ Finder on a very tight schedule”, said Roy Leamon, VP Production & Technology at Texas Monthly. “We wanted it released in time for our 2011 Texas Monthly BBQ Festival, and Boost delivered. Thank you Boost!”

Meanwhile, closer to home, Boost Media (Indy’s leading mobile app developer) is leading the way in developing other taste-tempting mobile apps.

The NY Slice, one of the busiest food trucks in town, is serving authentic NY style pizza all over Indy, from a different spot each day. And thanks to a new mobile app developed by Boost Media, users can stay up to the minute on the location of their favorite pizza. This app is scheduled for release by end of 2011.

Others have jumped onto the growing list of Boost’s mobile restaurant apps – such Shapiro’s, the iconic Indy delicatessen, and Bru Burger Bar, the latest concept from Cunningham Restaurant Group. But all restaurant apps are not the same – far from it. Boost custom develops every app according to the  restaurant’s strategy. For example, the forthcoming Mobile VIP app that Boost is building for Scotty’s Brewhouse will focus on customer loyalty and rewards. Boost is even developing a full-featured Dining Guide for Atlanta Monthly, another Emmis publication.

Why the growing trend?

“It just make sense”, says Boost CEO Jason Zickler “every restaurant wants to connect with their customers. Mobile apps are a great solution.”

But what does a restaurant app do for customers?

“It’s almost limitless”, says Zickler. “Menus, reservations, photos, video, recipes, VIP and rewards clubs, locations, directions. It’s your restaurant brand in the customer’s pocket.”

Download from Android Market

Similar to popular location-based games like SCVNGR and Gowalla, Indy based digital marketing agency Boost Media & Entertainment and Publicis Indianapolis have partnered to create an innovative mobile game that will be played at the Indiana State Fair.

The game is called BeanGo, and coincides with this year’s fair theme, “The Year of Soybeans.”

There are eight bean statues distributed throughout the fairgrounds. Players use smartphones to find the statues, where they’ll discover clues to help them solve puzzles in the game. Once a puzzle is solved, a square on the in-game “Bean Card” is completed. Once three squares in a row are completed, players display their app at the soybean display in the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion to win prizes.

Prizes include a free milkshake, pork burger or all-beef hot dog. If all eight squares are completed, players receive a secret prize.

“With millions of people already playing location-based games on their smartphones, we thought our own game would be great for this year’s fair,” said Hannah Brescher of the Indiana Soybean Alliance, the app’s sponsor. “We’re very pleased with how it’s turned out.”

BeanGo also includes a State Fair map and connection with the Soybean Alliance’s mascot Bennie the Bean’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. In another innovative feature, app users “shake” Bennie (by shaking their phones) to get him to share fun soybean facts.

BeanGo is available now in both the Android App Market and Apple’s App Store.

According to SCVNGR, over 1000 companies, universities and organizations nationwide have commissioned location-based games like BeanGo.

For more information about Boost and its projects and services, please contact Jason Zickler at jzickler@boostmediaentertainment.com or call 317.624.0300.

BeanGo is available now in both the Android App Market and Apple’s App Store. Check it out!

One of our favorite sources for inspiration and information is Smashing Magazine. Earlier this week Matt showed me an article of theirs that listed some great merchant sites. Among the list, I felt like there was one stand out, Chicago L-Shirts. I love how they use a dominant background image to anchor the design of the site. It’s not flash, and despite the size and sharpness of the background photography, the pages load quickly.

Our first response was, who could we do something like this for? It’s a realistic and undeniably cool web solution for the right client.

Okay, right off the bat I will admit that this is a cheap and easy excuse for actual content this week. But think about it – a blog about blogging. It’s rather brilliant.
Do you blog? If yes, do you wonder who (if anyone) actually reads it? What if no one reads it? What if no one is reading this blog?
It’s still worth doing. Very worth doing.
Watch this.

A Nation Divided, Boost Seeks Answer.

www.squarevsslice.com

Does America prefer the “Party Cut” Squares or the “All American” Slices? Boost client, Palermo’s Pizza, is determined to find out. With our help, they’re launching a national campaign to end the debate once and for all.

We’ve created a video series to cover the candidates and issues in this 4-month campaign, a new microsite complete with interactive campaign trail map, social media sites and more.

What’s your choice? Watch this video, check out the site, and meet the candidates so you can make an informed choice. As a culinary citizen of this great nation, let your voice be heard by voting today.

For the record, Boost is 6 to 2 in favor of Squares.

www.squarevsslice.com