Pimp the Scooter

Mar 10, 2009 by Dan Taylor    40 Comments    Posted under: Social Media

Ah, the wonderful world of Twitter and Social Media alive and well, and yet again affirming my faith in the method.  I happened to catch a tweet this morning pimpthescooter.com.  Having been a big fan of MTV’s Pimp My Ride (back in the day, ya’ll…the new stuff – not so much), I thought, hmmm…who’s doing what to a scooter?

Well, low and behold, pimpthescooter.com has pretty much nothing to do with MTV, Xibit, or dropping the ride a few extra inches.  What it DOES have is an awesome social media powered concept by Big Jon Evans.  The story breaks down like so:  Jon Evans is a small business owner in Greenville, SC.  Due to a series of unfortunate events, Evans finds himself without modus transportatus (homeboy no longer has a car).  In his search for a solution to the ‘Crap, how do I get around?’ question, Jon found a perfectly acceptable spring/summer solution: a scooter!

Ok, so a guy with out a car in Greenville, SC wants to buy a scooter.  So what?

Now here’s where things get interesting.  Instead of plucking down the $1500 and driving his new scooter off the lot, Evans is conduction a social media experiment.  Conceived with an obvious nod to the Million Dollar Homepage, Evans is selling off 150 1 x 1 squares for $10 each, where contributors get their picture plastered on the scooter, and a mention on Jon’s wall of gratitude.  Businesses can also get their logo on Jon’s hot ride with a 2 x 2 sticker for $50.  Thus far, he’s raised $530 or 35% of his goal.  With 21 days remaining, my money is on Jon successfully completing the experiment, and driving away a happy camper.

But why should I pay for some guy’s scooter?

Besides the obvious benefit of ‘hey, that’s cool…I want to be a part of it’, Jon is using a ChipIn widget, making donations incredibly easy for anyone with a paypal account, and doing his part to reduce his carbon footprint.  Still not enough?  This just in: Jon will be auctioning off the scooter at summer’s end (September) with all procedes going to a charity of his choosing.

Maybe we could let the contributors choose the charity via a poll on pimpthescooter.com Jon?

Anyway you look at it, a great idea and great execution on Jon’s part.  So let’s get homie some wheels, and do it all for a good cause at the end of the day.  Visit pimpthescooter.com and get your picture reserved right next to mine.  And yes…you can choose any picture you want.

MTV/Viacom support ‘No to Prop 8’

Oct 25, 2008 by Dan Taylor    2 Comments    Posted under: News

MTV Networks/Viacom joined the growing number of businesses that have stood to be counted in the war against California Proposition 8.  The company has officially joined the Equality Business Advisory Council to show their opposition to Prop 8.  California Proposition 8 stands to eliminate the fundamental right of same-sex couples to legally marry in the State of California, by amending the State Constitution.

“On November 4th, Californians have the unique opportunity to go to the polls and stand up for what makes this a great country and a free society inclusivity, freedom and respect for all. Proposition 8 is antithetical to those principles and a vote for ignorance, hatred and inequality,” said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. “MTV Networks and the Equality Business Advisory Council urge all Californian voters to send the right message and uphold the rights of same-sex couples in California, by voting ‘NO’ on Prop 8 on Election Day.”

MTV’s certainly not in this alone, with other prominent businesses and firms including PG&E, Levi Strauss & Co., Google, Sweet, the Morgan Hotel Group, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, California Black Chamber of Commerce, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce have thrown their support behind the Council.

“We are thrilled to welcome MTV Networks/Viacom as one of a growing number of national and California businesses leaders that have become part the NO on Prop 8′s Equality Business Advisory Council,” said Geoff Kors, NO on Prop 8 Executive Committee Member.

For more info about Prop 8, and a full list of committed ‘NO’ voters, visit www.noonprop8.com.

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