Fixed Mobile Convergence

Looking to create awareness of small businesses impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, MapHook is putting its resources and location-based journal and social networking application to use. MapHook announced it will help the “ Gulf Caravan" to showcase their journey as they caravan 300 miles August 9-13 along the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Caravan was started by a group of concerned citizens from St. Louis. MapHook provides location-based journal and social networking application for mobile and desktop users.

Now, people using MapHook on their iPhone (News - Alert) can follow the caravan using the app. Also, anyone can go to MapHook.com, register for free and see the progress the caravan is making. By spending money at local, small businesses along the route to help stimulate their recovery efforts, the Gulf Caravan looks to raise awareness nationally about the struggling businesses in the Gulf region.

“ MapHook is pleased to support this important effort. In addition, Gulf Caravan's use of our social networking application will help create more awareness of how hard things are for small businesses in the Gulf right now,”  said Paul Carter, CEO of MapHook. “ From the start, caravan participants will be creating 'Hooks' about their journey, including showing the businesses they visit and detailing how people can donate and get involved.”

The Gulf Caravan gets its money from donations provided by concerned citizens and communities from around the country. Media are invited to accompany the caravan on its journey or meet it at any stop on the route, announced MapHook. Also, by visiting the group's website at www.gulfcaravan.com, those who are unable to make the trip can contribute funds to spend on their behalf via PayPal (News - Alert).

Recently, the company announced ‘MapHook,’ a new journal and social networking application for the iPhone and personal computer, which can be used for creating location-based entries about different events, activities and places, known as ‘hooks.’  Users can share these hooks with their friends, family, their networks and other users to pass on the information to them.