She knows someone else can overthrow her any day now, so she makes sure she carries out her duties: that is, frequenting her favorite hangouts and "checking in" on her mobile phone at a new online site called Foursquare.
Said to be the Twitter of 2010, the startup social networking site rewards users with points and virtual "mayorships" when they go out drinking, dining or shopping at night and on weekends.
Foursquare became available in Nashville just a week and a half ago, although social butterflies in New York, Atlanta, Austin and other cities have been letting their friends know where they've been mingling through Foursquare since March.
Because Foursquare is location-based, whether you're at a coffee shop or neighborhood antique store, it has the power to revolutionize how businesses market to plugged-in Americans.
"If there's a business I like, I enjoy patronizing it, but I also want to tell people about it," said Groves, an East Nashville 30-year-old who works in sales and support for a marketing firm.
Users are alerted when their friends check in to different places. They can give tips about their dining or shopping experiences and can list their favorite hang-outs. Foursquare also lets users know who else is checked in at a particular hot spot.
In other cities, businesses have started rewarding these "Foursquare mayors" with drink specials and shopping discounts. Some places post photos of their mayors.
Businesses that want to be more assertive about joining the online discussion almost have to promote that they want the Foursquare elite to show up, said Larry De Palma, president and CEO of TDG-Phenix Inc., a Brentwood-based new media consultant for the financial services industry.
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