Astoria, NY -- (SBWire) -- 01/26/2011 -- Flowd, the popular location-based mobile app that brings music acts and fans closer together, today revealed that its user base has grown 500% and the number of signed artists has increased 1000% since its December launch.

Artists including DJs Armin van Buuren and Markus Schultz, UK pop stars The Wanted and infamous metal band Manowar, are using the platform to keep their fans up-to-date and promoting their upcoming concerts. Taking Flowd to the next level, DJs Armin van Buuren and Markus Schultz have signed up to run a worldwide loyalty programme through Flowd for their upcoming gigs as artists can see the benefit of using Flowd to communicate with their followers. For instance, Armin van Buuren alone now communicates directly with over 1,800 fans who follow him on Flowd.

"We are incredibly pleased with how artists are beginning to embrace Flowd as their primary method of fan communication. From Armin van Buuren announcing that he's about to become a father, Markus Schultz sharing the tracklist for his next album, and The Wanted publishing pictures of their fans' devotion, Flowd really is becoming a valuable mobile platform for famous music acts," said Tommi Laitinen, SVP, Flowd.

HOW: Flowd is a location-based mobile application that facilitates conversations between music artists and their fans. Through Flowd, fans can keep up with their favourite act's latest news and views, get behind-the-scenes gossip and photos and check-in to their gigs. Acts can also reward their fans for their loyalty.

REWARDS: Following the success of Armin van Buuren's competition in Australia over New Year's, Armin van Buuren and Markus Schultz have decided to continue to reward their fans who attend upcoming concerts worldwide. At each gig, fans following Armin van Buuren or Markus Schultz who check-in to their gigs in Flowd will automatically be entered into a competition to win exclusive fan merchandise.

WHERE & WHEN:
Markus Schulz's tour dates where Flowd check-in promotion available:

04.2.2011 Ministry of Sound London, UK

05.2.2011 Lush Portrush, UK

09.2.2011 Gianpula Malta

11.2.2011 Club Play Budapest, Hungary

12.2.2011 SaSaZu (Prague '11 Release Party) Prague, Czech Republic

17.2.2011 Haoman Jerusalem, Israel

18.2.2011 Forum Beersheba, Israel

19.2.2011 Moda Bar Club Haifa, Israel

25.2.2011 Marquee Nightclub Las Vegas, USA

26.2.2011 Vision (World Tour) Chicago, USA

05.3.2011 Teleclub Ekatarinburg, Russia

06.3.2011 Pyramida Kazan, Russia

07.3.2011 Expo Centre Moscow, Russia

11.3.2011 Space Miami, USA

Armin van Buuren's tour dates where Flowd check-in promotion available:

12.2.2011 SKK Arena St. Petersburg, Russia

14.2.2011 Essential Club Riga, Latvia

15.2.2011 Siemens Arena Vilnius, Lithuania

19.2.2011 Poznan International Fair Poznan, Poland

GET STARTED: Music fans worldwide can download Flowd for free from the iTunes App Store and Android Market. Find favourite music acts under What's hot? and follow them to get regular news and musings from the artist. Fans can discover more about their tours under the Events feature on artist profile pages and let their friends and music acts know which concert they'll be attending.

EVEN MORE FEATURES: By using Flowd, music fans will also be able to use a wide range of social networking features including check-in to places, send messages, share pictures and connect with friends through Twitter and Facebook. Fans can also customize the look and feel of Flowd by re-skinning the app with artists' themes.

"Since our official launch in early December, we've seen Flowd grow in popularity, and it is rapidly becoming known as the location-based mobile app of choice for established and up-and-coming artists. We've always believed that Flowd's combination of location-based services, social networking and entertainment would be the future of the artist-fan relationship, and with artists like The Wanted and Armin van Buuren involved, we're confident that we're already being proved right. There's a lot of exciting announcements to come, and we can't wait to continue to revolutionize how fans interact with their music idols," continued Laitinen.

MORE INFORMATION: Visit http://flowd.com. Follow the latest news and features through Twitter and Facebook and view the latest videos on Flowd's YouTube Channel at http://bit.ly/gJUZA7.

CONTACT: For media inquiries, please contact: pr@flowd.com or
Amy Ronge (UK): +44 207 608 4649
Karen Blondell (LA): +1 310 922 5838
Andrea Schneider (NYC): +1 917 769 6060

About FLOWD
Flowd is a location-based mobile application that facilitates conversations between music acts and their fans. Through Flowd, fans can keep up with their favorite music acts' latest news, views, tours and offers. Flowd also provides an easy way to connect with friends, places and parties. Flowd is currently the location-based mobile app of choice of Armin van Buuren, Markus Schulz and The Wanted.

Flowd - A circle of artists, friends and places you love

About DIGIA
Digia is a public company, listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki exchange (DIG1V). Flowd is developed by Digia's Ventures business unit.