photography by Margaret Licarione
Every week, there are hundreds of awesome events and things to do in Austin. From happy hours and networking events to unique festivals and giant concerts, it can be downright overwhelming to try and figure out how to spend your free time.
That’s where Do512 comes in. An Austin-based website started nearly five years ago, Do512’s mission is simple: to help you find all of the best happenings in Austin.
Do512 co-founders Jimmy Stewart and Scott Owens launched Do512 in 2006 solely to help Austinites find cheap places to drink around town. While the site still has the most comprehensive happy hour listings, it rapidly grew into something far greater where you can now find information for events of all kinds.
Nearly five years later, the website helps more than 175,000 people figure out what to do around town each month.
In addition to providing far more comprehensive event listings than other event-listing platforms, Do512 separates itself in a multitude of ways. The site is totally free to use, and it allows users to upload their own events.
Do512 also aggregates the recommendations of more than 25 other local media outlets (the Do512 All-Stars), so the average user can get an educated idea of what those in the know think they should do. Events are ranked by popularity in the form of event “likes,” so users can get a quick snapshot of the events deemed most interesting by the most people.
Do512 also rewards its users on a regular basis through free tickets, discounted entry to events and fun prizes such as bottle service at various bars. In any given month, Do512 gives out more than $10,000 in prizes.
Without seeking out any funding in its five years, Do512 has continued to see rapid growth due to a very simple, two-goal philosophy: provide the best possible information and experience to its users, and always deliver the best possible ROI to its advertisers and clients.
Do512 works closely with a large majority of event promoters, venues, bars and restaurants in Austin and strives to provide a level of promotion far beyond the simple slapping up of banner ads. This level of attention and pride in its work has allowed Do512 to cross over into the agency world, creating and executing custom campaigns for clients such as car2go, CLEAR Wireless, Shiner, Ambhar Tequila and many others.
In 2009, DoStuff Media was created in order to launch the “Do” concept on a national level. DoStuff serves as the software licensor for Do312, Do713, Do501, Do314 and Do512, its first five franchisees. Five more cities are projected to launch in 2011.
In addition to the DoCity platform, DoStuff has a festival platform currently used by the ACL Festival, Lollapalooza, the New Orleans Jazz Fest and many others.
DoStuff and Do512 have long been burgeoning Austin success stories largely flying under the radar, at least for now. There has yet to be an event-listing platform that’s been able to expand nationally with success, and DoStuff believes it’s in a position to finally succeed where other event-listing companies have faltered.
In 2011, Do512 expanded on its event-listing concept and created the Do512 Lounge, the first major step toward becoming a content creator in addition to a content aggregator.
The Do512 Lounge, sponsored by long-time partner Shiner Beer, is a series of live performances from national and local artists in an intimate setting. These “Lounge Sessions” aim to get Do512 users up close and personal with artists Do512 loves.
Past performers include Fitz and the Tantrums, the Black Angels, Noah and the Whale, Portugal. The Man, John Popper, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and many more.
Each session is recorded by Austin Music Weekly and archived on Do512 and Shiner’s respective sites.
Do512 is honored to be a contributor to NSIDE Austin, and is excited to delve into the print world with a publication that has similar views on community, entrepreneurship and local outreach. Each month, check out the Do512 Calendar, a new feature in NSIDE Austin.
Also each month, Do512 will pick the brains of some of Austin’s “All-Stars” – venue owners, musicians and entrepreneurs – and get them to share their tricks on how they do the 512.
Kristin Owen is the general manager at Do512.
For more information, visit www.do512.com, www.twitter.com/Do512 or www.facebook/Do512.
