Girl Scouts Go Mobile

GIRL SCOUTS GO MOBILE

Girl Scouts Launch Free Mobile App in Local Area

MIAMI – January 31, 2011 – Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida joins in announcing that the Girls Scout Cookie Program is going mobile as part of a national pilot program in the local market. Cookie lovers soon will be able to use their smart phones to find the nearest cookie booths and a list of dates and times when those booths will be open. No more driving to the local grocery store only to find that the cookie booth is located at a different store that day.

Later this month, the app can be downloaded free by simply calling **GSCOOKIES (**472665437) from a mobile phone. Data and messaging rates may apply. The app also will be available in the iPhone App Store and Android Market Place.

“People often underestimate the number of Girl Scout Cookies they want to order and end up wishing they’d ordered more. Or they don’t know a Girl Scout who can help them,” said Maria Tejera, CEO of Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida. “Soon, customers will be able to download an app on their smart phone and find their favorite treats fast.”

The application, which will be available for iPhones and Android devices, uses either GPS or manually entered zip codes, cities or states to find cookie booths near the customer. The app will conveniently map those locations and add the sale information to the calendar. In addition to locating the booths, customers can learn about their favorite cookies, including nutritional value and ingredients. Cookie lovers can take a fun, interactive quiz to learn their “cookie personalities” as well.

Users will also be able to share sale locations, cookie information and their cookie personalities with friends on Facebook, Twitter and in email.

“The Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls business and leadership skills. This new method of reaching customers teaches them about the benefits of using relevant technology to achieve their goals,” said Eva Berbrick, Product Sales Manager of Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida. “Girl Scouts also learn to serve their communities, so the purchase of cookies supports girls and benefits our whole community in many direct and indirect ways.”

The Cookie Club was created by Little Brownie Bakers, one of two bakers licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA.  Little Brownie Bakers has been baking Girl Scout Cookies since 1973 and is licensed by Girl Scouts of the USA. Little Brownie Bakers’ mission is to provide cookies and support services of the highest quality to Girl Scout Councils so that the annual Cookie Sale activities will help build a wide range of life skills for girls and generate income for Girl Scout troops and councils. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

For more information about the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, please visit please visit www.girlscoutsfl.org or call 305-253-4841.

Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida, Inc. serves over 22,331 girls, with 16,341 girls registered under the guidance of 3,665 adults in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.  Girl Scouts is a place where girls learn to believe in themselves, make long-lasting friendships, recognize their strengths and see a future of exciting possibilities. All girls may join Girl Scouts at any age from 5 to 17 years old.

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) is the preeminent organization in the world committed to girls growing strong.  In Girl Scouts girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together through experiences such as field trips, sports, skills building, community service and cultural exchanges.

– Bristol Public Relations 1/31/11