Martin Tobias of Tippr #167 Bonus

TWiST #167 Martin Tobias of Tippr
You've heard of Groupon and LivingSocial, but did you know the real deal is over at Tippr? Martin Tobias, founder of the third largest group buying site in the US, talked to TWiST about his patented auction technology, who the real players in the group space are and why he's focused on under-served markets.

0:00-1:00 Welcome everyone to this episode of TWiST with Martin Tobias of Tippr.
1:00-4:00 The TWiST Backchannel Producer Program is now 100+ members strong. To join go to twistlist.co.
4:00-5:30 Thank you to Carbonite for sponsoring the show. Use the code “TWiST” for two bonus months free.
5:30-7:00 Introducing Martin Tobias of Tippr.
7:30-9:00 What drew you to the deal space?
10:00-10:45 So who are some of your customers?
10:45-12:00 And that’s where this money is coming from right, local sources?
12:00-13:00 The New York Times has a TimesLimited product, so why did they go half-heartedly into the deal space?
13:00-14:15 Martin talks about Yollar.com, a site owned by Tippr.
14:45-15:30 Can anyone compete with the scale of Groupon or LivingSocial?
16:15-17:30 What about sites like Groupon overwhelming local businesses?
17:30-19:30 Are people feeling a little deal saturated?
20:30-21:30 Should they have to disclose if the editorial is being driven by the commerce end, by what restaurants are willing to participate?
21:30-24:30 What is the right percentage for deals? Has Groupon set the expectation too high?
24:30-25:30 Thank you to MailChimp for sponsoring the show and making an incredible product.
25:30-27:30 Martin, why do you use MailChimp?
27:30-30:00 Let’s talk about patents and, specifically, your Mercata patents.
31:00-32:30 People have been group buying for forever, but at what point does that become patentable?
32:30-33:00 Do you feel that Groupon or LivingSocial are infringing upon your patented technology?
35:00-35:45 How long do these business patents last and what is your goal as a patent holder?
35:45-36:30 Question from TWiST Executive Producer Amir: What do you think of deal aggregators like Yippit or Youpon?
38:15-40:30 We talked a little bit about Groupon. Do you think they can remove that massive customer acquisition cost as they become a well-known global brand?
40:30-42:00 You hit the wall in the last dot com bubble, yes? What would you do as the CEO of Groupon?
42:30-43:30 If Groupon only has 9 months of runway, are they playing a game of chicken with their IPO and an acquisition plan?
44:30-45:30 Which publisher do you covet most that you don’t have?
45:30-46:30 Martin, what’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
46:30-49:00 Who is the entrepreneur that you respect the most and why?
49:00-50:15 Microsoft share price hasn’t moved for a decade--what’s wrong with it?
50:15-51:00 If you’re looking for a job and you’re a world-class developer, please email Martin@tippr.com.
53:00-55:00 Thank you to MailChimp and Carbonite. Everyone thank them on Twitter at @MailChimp and @Carbonite.

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FOLLOW ON TWITTER
Jason: @jason
Tyler: @steepdecline
Martin: @martingtobias
Tippr: @TIPPR

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