Consumers can access deals – called specials – directly through the app’s explore tab. The deals can be purchased via a consumer’s mobile device while they are on the go.

“Our strategy is to help establish long-term relationships between high-quality consumers and businesses,” said Jim Crowley, CEO of BuyWithMe. “Ultimately BuyWithMe is creating a  local marketing platform that partners with merchants to create happy customers…which in return creates happy merchants.

“Foursquare already has 10 million users checking into places around their local communities,” he said. “Our merchants are now able to find additional customers through the foursquare community.”

LivingSocial offers handpicked daily deals that consumers can share with friends. Members enjoy at least 50 percent off on the coolest, local experiences.

BuyWithMe launched in May 2009 and is the premiere group buying and social commerce company that allows consumers to discover and experience the best offerings from businesses in their city.

Mobile promotion
In addition to partnering with LivingSocial, BuyWithMe and Gilt City, foursquare is also working with zozi and AT&T Interactive.

Starting this week, foursquare specials will include deep discounts that consumers can buy ahead of time.

Additionally, the company is running deals through its personalized explore tab, letting consumers see specials that are right for them, as well as why they are right for them.

“There has been a great deal of media attention around this partnership today, and we’re also communicating this news to our merchants via our sales teams and account management teams so they can see the various ways BuyWithMe drives new customers to their business,” Mr. Crowley said.

Foursquare integration
This latest version of foursquare’s smartphone app provides personalized specials that are targeted towards each user.

The recommended deals that users receive have been determined based on check-in history, time of day, and location.

This ensures that consumers are receiving specials that they are likely to take advantage of.

In addition, this helps merchants attract customers that have already had a positive experience with their business through a social connection or friend.

“We’re very focused on having a strong mobile presence, and I think that is evident based not only on the partnership announced today but also by our recently released iPhone app and our soon to be released Android app,” Mr. Crowley said.

“We believe our business is fundamentally a local business and to be ‘local’ you need to be mobile –  BuyWithMe is committed to this principal,” he said.

“Everything we are doing as a company is being reflected in our mobile platform, be it paperless redemption, to sharing deals amongst your friends to deal and merchant discovery our mobile roadmap is a roadmap of the company’s initiatives and we look forward to sharing more exciting mobile news in the coming weeks.

Final Take
Rimma Kats is staff reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York