With just a few clicks, UF students can get discounts for places around town.
Student Body President Tj Villamil announced in his State of the Campus address that students can text “UF” to 96714 to receive deals at Gainesville businesses. Implementing a mobile deal program was on Villamil’s platform when he ran for office in Spring 2012.
After signing up, students will receive the first offer: a free combo upgrade with the purchase of a pita from Pita Pit or double tasty burger from Relish.
Mark Highbaugh, CEO of Marlimar, the interactive mobile strategies company running the program, said My University Mobile was created about two years ago. It was implemented at 14 other universities, including University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech, Highbaugh said.
So far, Pita Pit and Relish are the only places offering deals, but Highbaugh said other merchants are interested.
As of Wednesday morning, about 500 people were signed up for My UF Mobile, Highbaugh said.
He said the company turned down merchants whose deals weren’t in the consumers’ best interests. When Marlimar looks for a company, they look for high value, relevance to students and timeliness, Highbaugh said.
Based on the company’s studies at other universities, students tend to not opt out if they get up to three offers a day and up to 10 a week. The deals usually last between two to three days.
“It’s the best window that causes students to act on it,” Highbaugh said.
Villamil said it’s great because it’s free to all students. Standard text messaging rates apply, but there are no additional costs.
In fact, students can raise money for UF. Marlimar works with the companies and shares a portion with the university.
“Just by you participating, you are helping raise revenue,” Highbaugh said.
Villamil said the amount of money UF receives depends on how many users sign up. He said that based on the estimates he received, if all 50,000 UF students sign up, UF could receive $100,000 a year.
Villamil said the university hasn’t decided where the money will go.
Not only does My UF Mobile benefit students, Villamil said, but it also allows them to try different local venues.
“That’s the only reason why I did it,” he said. “The students are the winners.”
Contact Samantha Shavell at sshavell@alligator.org.
