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First ‘local’ social network for Londoners launches

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By Seb Joseph, News editor

April 28, 2015 | 3 min read

Londoners keen to connect with others across the capital can now do so through the first social network developed solely for the city.

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Dubbed Ambam, the fledgling community matches city dwellers using their personal interests like food, fashion and music to sort them into designated “Circles” for each. Additionally, people can choose to connect with others depending on what key part of the city they live in.

So far, so social network. However there is a twist in the form of a reward mechanic. Independent brands – from pop-up restaurants to boutique fashion stores – have signed up to service, targeting the users in those circles that match where they sit as a product or service.

Members search for rewards by either category or area. To claim a reward they will either be sent an email after clicking the 'claim it' button on Ambam, which they then present in-store on their phone or by printing it out. To claim an online reward, members click a button which reveals a secret discount code that they can use on checkout with a relevant brand

The aim is to boost the profile of smaller businesses in exchange for the social network rewarding their services to keep people coming back.

The social network has been developed by a brother and sister duo, Jessica Ellis and Tom Hankin.

Hankin said: “Our vision for Ambam was simple - to create a rewarding, social platform that feels local, is just for Londoners, and that truly makes the most of living and working here. Not only do we want to connect everyone with the best bits of their city via all of the brand partners we are working with, but we also want to provide a worthwhile platform for people to network with each other, inspire each other, share their own passions and interests, and explore them in new ways.”

Membership to Ambam is free. And while it is London-focused now, the social platform's founders are adamant that its future lies within a wider UK rollout with Ambam networks popping up in all the main cities.

A mobile app for the social network is also due in the coming months.

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