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  July 30, 2009

  Heroes Star Greg Grunberg Wants to Know: Got Yowza?

  Unless you've been off-planet on some space mission, or you're a complete technology phobic, it is a pretty safe bet that you know what an iPhone is. You may not own one, but you've at least heard of it or know someone that has it. Like the iPod, the iPhone is just another in the long line of Apple products that has completely captivated the world's tech-savvy youth. You've seen the Mac vs. PC commercials. The colorful, musically hip iPod commercials. And you know the question everybody asks when something (some task or situation) can be made more convenient.
  
  Most people only ask "is there an app for that?" because they think it's funny. There is, after all, an app for everything. Some, though, might genuinely be wondering if there is actually an application for whatever convenient idea they come up with on their iPhone. Even fewer people make it their business to brainstorm, pitch and develop such an application.

  Actor Greg Grunberg falls into the latter category. Only, the thing he came up with can actually be called useful. If you know Grunberg personally, you aren't surprised that he's one of those guys who has a great idea -- an idea designed to benefit many people in a variety of ways -- and possesses enough business savvy and contagious enthusiasm to see it all the way through. With a little help from his friends (August Trometer and Rick Yaeger), he managed to do just that with the latest light bulb that lit up over is head.
  
  The bright idea?
  
  An iPhone application that not only saves you money and time, it also goes a long way in helping the environment. If you are going "Say whaaaat?" to that, let Grunberg explain ...

  Greg: With Yowza!! it's great because it's a free application that you can use not only to get great discounts that save you money, but it's so cool because you don't have to worry about wasting time clipping coupons. You know what I mean? Who has time for that? Not to mention the amount of paper you'd be wasting, which is why this is really good for the environment. There's actually a barcode that you carry around with you in your phone. Just take it to the nearest place, like the Container Store, a really great place and have them scan the barcode and bam! You've saved money, time and trees. That's not bad, that's pretty cool.
  
  Specifically, it works like this: Pull up the app on your iPhone or iPod Touch (currently the only devices you can get the app on, though plans are in the works for others such as the Blackberry). The program immediately pulls up a list of restaurants, grocery stores, and retail spots currently offering discounts with the Yowza!! application in any area you happen to be standing. Just take your phone with the digital coupon and show it to the cashier when you check out and you redeem your savings like that.
  
  Not bad. Pretty cool.
  
  And if you do know Greg Grunberg, then you also know that he is not only an entrepreneur, but a philanthropist as well. With projects such as the awesome Band From TV, playing drums with fellow actors Terri Hatcher (vocals) and Hugh Laurie (keys) for charity (and raising over two million in the process), and his website TalkAboutIt.org where he raises money championing the cause for people with Epilepsy, Grunberg spreads the love far and wide in innovative ways.
  
  Coming up with Yowza!! is a testament to that innovation. Grunberg is passionate about the idea, which could affectionately be called his baby, since he was the one who gave birth to it.
  
  Where did the idea come from?
  
  Greg: It was a while ago, my wife and I had this coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond. And I kept meaning to use it, because we really like saving money, but I just kept forgetting it. I mean, I would have it, and then get all the way in the store, about to checkout and realize I forgot it back in the car. I was just too lazy to walk all the way back and get it. So I was like -- I love Apple and the iPhone. I just think it's the best. I was literally saying to myself, 'wouldn't it be great if we could use this great technology to save money without all the hassle?'
  
  Think about it: No more coupon clipping, no more expiration dates and forgetting the damn things. In this economy, people need to save money. It's just beneficial to everybody to make saving money more convenient. But the idea was mine. You know and it was just that, a little nugget of an idea. When I got to know August and Rick, on Twitter of all places, and talked to them about it ... they were a huge help and just as excited about the prospect and I was.
  
  August Trometer is one-third of the dynamic trio. He has been programming for the Mac platform for many years under the name FoggyNoggin Software. He is one of the first iPhone developers on the App Store scene with the launch of the acclaimed Loan Shark app. Trometer is also the founder of dotmac.info, the only "community" site for Apple's Mac members, and the creator of iPodderX, the first third-party utility for Podcasting.
  
  He explained the Twitter 'hook-up' that resulted in his partnership with Grunberg and Yaeger on Yowza!!:
  
  August: The three of us met via Twitter, and we started discussing iPhone apps and possibly doing something for Greg's charity band, Band From TV. That led to talking about other app ideas. Greg mentioned mobile coupons, and Yowza!! was born.
  
  He also took us through the development process of an iPhone App:
  
  August: The first thing I do is try to put myself in the shoes of the application user. If the person using the app doesn't like it, they won't use it, so every decision I make is through that lens. I actually visited malls, watched shoppers, and tried to determine how much time they'd have, and how they'd use Yowza!! I also drew up a number of design prototypes on paper -- which is a lot easier than, say Photoshop, or writing the code for the UI -- until I refined it to the point where I knew people would enjoy using the app. Getting the design right is the hardest part. Once I had that, the rest was downhill.
  
  Are there any kinks in the program still needed to be worked out?
  
  August: No software is ever perfect, and there are always a few bugs. Yowza!! has a couple which will be fixed in a version to be released soon. Beyond that, we've got lots of great ideas, and I'm working on a big update that will make finding deals even easier!
  
  Greg chimed in when we asked if he plans on making app development a habit, or maybe a second career?
  
  Greg: I won't lie, it's hard. I mean, there's always something to do. It's definitely an on-going process, and you discover something new every day. I'm having fun with this one, but it'll be a few more years before I'm ready to even think about a new idea. I have more, but this one's pretty much taking up most of my time. Not that I'm complaining because it is definitely awesome to be working with these guys -- guys as smart and as cool and funny as August and Rick. We have a blast. And they are the best at what they do.
  
  How did the name Yowza!! come about?
  
  Greg: It's great, isn't it? Actually, it's a funny story, because it was my good friend JJ Abrams who sort of helped me come up with it. I've known JJ for years, since childhood, and I talk to him about everything. And it was one of those, you know, down-to-the-last-second things. We were pitching this idea and everything was falling into place, but we needed a name. I called JJ up and we were on the phone talking about it and he was saying "It needs to stand out, really get some attention!" Basically saying it needed to pop and be catchy. And we were tossing around ideas, and I think I said something like "Oh, wait, what about Yowza? And he just said "That's it!" We're very happy with it.
  
  With such a catchy name and eye-popping logo, we were also curious to know what the marketing strategy for such an app would be. We already know that Grunberg shouts out Yowza!! every chance he gets on Twitter. Might there be some cool TV commercials featuring the charismatic star? Though he made no promises to that end, he did mention up coming appearances on shows like Letterman, as well as personalized signage and more discount opportunities at major grocery store chains across the country in the works. Yowza!! has a line of merchandise like t-shirts and tote bags that can be bought at yowzaswag.com. Though, if anybody out there is listening -- put Greg Grunberg in an ultra dry, ultra witty, uber charming commercial where he gets to be as cool as he is on Twitter, and we'll download anything he's pimping.
  
  Greg's attachment to the entertainment industry ought to make it pretty easy to link this app to discounts on things like movies, plays and concert tickets. August agreed that heading in that direction would be logically beneficial for Yowza!! and its users.
  
  August: Absolutely. Anything with a location is a good match for Yowza!!, and events such as concerts are no different. We're already working with Star Productions in Las Vegas for their shows "The Soprano's" and "Joey and Maria's Italian Wedding", and we're talking to some other big event venues as well.
  
  A couple of weeks after we talked, in fact, Yowza!! signed a deal with none other than New York City's famous Radio City Music Hall to offer discounts on all their featured shows. The app just crossed over into the big leagues. Retailers that have already signed with Yowza!! include: Sears, McDonald's, Finish Line, ESPN Zone, The Container Store, Sports Authority, Rubio's Fresh Mexican Grill, Pier 1 Imports, Saks Fifth Avenue, California Pizza Kitchen, Marmalade Café, as well as Sysco (a national wholesale distributor), just to name a few. With missions to collaborate with giants such as Starbucks and Wholefoods underway, it won't be long before Yowza!! can offer people discounts on nearly everything, everywhere.
  
  The iPhone is a nifty, handy little gadget that melds fun and convenience together quite brilliantly through the provision of great apps like Yowza!! Grunberg, Trometer and Yaeger's offering is by far the most useful. It saves you money, time and cuts back on paper waste. It's free! And very cool. What's not to like? Get it. Got it? Good.
  
  For more fun and Yowza!! pimpage follow the hilarious and quite candid Greg Grunberg (Grunny his friends call him) on Twitter @greggrunberg. The thoughtful and equally hilarious August Trometer is @August. Rick Yaeger is @rickmacmerc. For more info, updates, and news on their app follow @Yowza!!
  
  Grunberg is currently filming the fifth season of the hit TV show Heroes, which will begin airing in September.

  Get Yowza!!

   

   

  Source: Aced Magazine

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