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Travel agency takes a page out of Facebook
Island Odyssey, a social and travel network, allows students to book trips and view friends' destinations
by Eric Florip | News Editor
Last month, University junior Kwame Agyeman was hired to work for Island Odyssey, a social and travel network Web site, and a company he had never heard of. He never even applied for the job.
"They came to me," said Agyeman, also a safety on the Oregon football team. "I really didn't know if it was legitimate or not at first."
Agyeman was recruited to represent the company based on what it described as his high visibility and numerous connections he had at the University - basically, he had a lot of friends on Facebook, Agyeman said.
Agyeman took the job, and his hiring was part of an aggressive marketing technique by Island Odyssey to gain as big of a following on college campuses across the country as it could, even before its planned March 23 launch date.
Agyeman also took the job because he liked the idea of making his own promotions for the Web site, and he liked the premise of the business itself.
"That type of marketing seemed cool," he said. "They allow you a lot of freedom."
Island Odyssey is a networking site similar to Facebook that also integrates a travel agency, allowing people to book and pay for trips on the same site. Users can also view their friends' plans on the site through a feature similar to Facebook's "news feed."
"Island Odyssey is the first combination of a social network and a travel portal - essentially a Facebook mixed with an Expedia, so you can see where all your friends are traveling to," said Zachary Lieberman, founder and chief officer at Island Odyssey. "We feel like we're going to be a completely new market."
Agyeman said the idea has already generated a lot of interest among those he's told, and his own marketing ideas are catching on as well. As part of his work, Agyeman placed dozens of shot glasses around campus bearing the company name for students to find. But even if the brand isn't well-known, his job is already done, Agyeman said.
"You might not know what (Island Odyssey) is, but getting that word in there, that stays with you," he said.
"They came to me," said Agyeman, also a safety on the Oregon football team. "I really didn't know if it was legitimate or not at first."
Agyeman was recruited to represent the company based on what it described as his high visibility and numerous connections he had at the University - basically, he had a lot of friends on Facebook, Agyeman said.
Agyeman took the job, and his hiring was part of an aggressive marketing technique by Island Odyssey to gain as big of a following on college campuses across the country as it could, even before its planned March 23 launch date.
Agyeman also took the job because he liked the idea of making his own promotions for the Web site, and he liked the premise of the business itself.
"That type of marketing seemed cool," he said. "They allow you a lot of freedom."
Island Odyssey is a networking site similar to Facebook that also integrates a travel agency, allowing people to book and pay for trips on the same site. Users can also view their friends' plans on the site through a feature similar to Facebook's "news feed."
"Island Odyssey is the first combination of a social network and a travel portal - essentially a Facebook mixed with an Expedia, so you can see where all your friends are traveling to," said Zachary Lieberman, founder and chief officer at Island Odyssey. "We feel like we're going to be a completely new market."
Agyeman said the idea has already generated a lot of interest among those he's told, and his own marketing ideas are catching on as well. As part of his work, Agyeman placed dozens of shot glasses around campus bearing the company name for students to find. But even if the brand isn't well-known, his job is already done, Agyeman said.
"You might not know what (Island Odyssey) is, but getting that word in there, that stays with you," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brent
posted 3/20/07 @ 4:19 PM PST
They contacted me also! I cant wait for this to launch. As a world traveler, I can see MANY uses to this site. Im planning a trip down under this winter, this site is gonna help me meet up with other travelers who want to do the same activities I want to do!!!! Ill be the first on there then it opens!
Some one
posted 5/06/07 @ 3:55 AM PST
This site sounds like a great way for rich kids to meet other rich kids on some warm sunny beach to get drunk off of cheep beer and doller shots so they can score with someone thats going to forget/regret the whole trip. (Continued…)
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