uLinkNetwork Launches NASCAR-esque Marketing Car

FOLSOM, Calif. - July 3, 2013 - PRLog -- People have been noticing it all over town, a 2013 Chevy Volt, looking very NASCAR-esque with a giant “U” on each side, surrounded by company logos. Has NASCAR launched an environmentally friendly racing circuit? No, it is the new uLinkNetwork marketing car.

uLinkNetwork is a new generation of networking and business development organization created by Folsom locals Jim Pelley and Adam Frick, with a simple philosophy to leverage digital media, the latest technology and innovative ideas with “event-style” in-person networking events. “We’ve designed a system to harness the power of technology and social media to help people build their businesses,” says Pelley, the organization’s chief executive officer.

Pelley, a veteran of other “traditional” networking organizations, took what he didn’t like about those groups and flipped it on its head, adding in what he felt was lacking and creating an entirely new delivery system. “Long gone are the weekly meetings with people shoving business cards at one another or jotting down potential leads on slips of paper,” explains Pelley.

uLinkNetwork’s unique proposition is its custom designed smart phone app that allows members to send, receive and track referrals, give and receive recommendations, discover their most profitable channel partners, do searches throughout the network and connect to all main sources of social media – to name just a few of its features. According to Pelley, the newest and most exciting aspect of the app is its predictive analysis, meaning the app can predict who within uLinkNetwork is most likely to refer new business to a particular member. “That is powerful information that our members can use in their new business efforts,” says Pelley.

The marketing car idea was sparked by a discussion about taking uLinkNetwork’s mobile app truly mobile – to the streets. A collaboration was soon formed with Bill McNally Racing and Debra Scarpa of Designs by Friday to design the car love child of Herbie the Love Bug and a NASCAR. Wrapped with uLinkNetwork members’ logos, it makes a statement zipping around the streets of the greater Sacramento area.

“The car has a giant QR code on it so anyone who sees it can scan it and they’ll be taken directly to www.uLinkmarketingcar.com where they can find information on all of the participating businesses,” says Frick, uLinkNetwork’s chief technology officer. And in keeping with the group’s social media strategy, the car already has several hundred followers on Twitter (@voltmarketingca). “The car has a great following. When people spot it around town, they are posting photos on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter,” adds Frick. “We’re the ‘Where’s Waldo?’ of mobile marketing.”

But, of course, along with the fun is the purpose to help promote member businesses in a way that is unique and effective. Just on the road for a few weeks, the QR code has already been scanned over 200 times. While not all members are on the marketing car, all uLinkNetwork members receive:

1) Smart phone mobile application

2) Referral tracking and lead management

3) Expert speakers at group meetings

4) uPoints and member rewards

5) Local Internet search engine marketing and Internet coupons

6) uLinkUniversity events and seminars

7) PODs (Professional Organization Development Silos)

8) OR code generator and scan counter

9) Predictive networking

10) Regional members-only monthly mixers

With more than 350 business people using the uLinkNetwork app right now, Pelley and Frick seem to have created a totally new networking vehicle that is working and growing. Member Rochelle Barcellona, agrees: “Calling uLinkNetwork a ‘networking group’ is like calling Tiffany & Co. ‘just another jewelry store.’ This is a true, bona fide business development group that moves at the speed of 21^st century business. The novel app, and the great open houses and mixers, together with useful and to-the-point meetings make this one of my most valuable new business tools.”

uLinkNetwork currently has more than 400 members using the app and 21 groups meeting in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Roseville, Rocklin, Auburn, Rancho Cordova, Midtown Sacramento, Fair Oaks/Citrus Heights, Gold River, Davis and Arden Arcade., plus one in San Francisco. Florida, Washington, Texas and Ohio are host to an additional 12 groups.

For more information on uLinkNetwork, visit www.uLinkNetwork.com or call 916-801-8088.