DontStayIn
DontStayIn, commonly abbreviated to DSI, was a social networking site based around clubbing. Primarily covering the UK, it listed nearly 185,000 events, and at its peak had over five million verified members. Members were encouraged to upload picture galleries to the site for events they've attended, add events and venues and otherwise contribute. "Spotters" were DSI members who reviewed and photographed events.
Type of site | Social network service |
---|---|
Available in | English |
Headquarters | London, England |
Country of origin | Southampton, England |
Owner | Love Socio Ltd |
Created by | Tim Aylott, John Brophy and Dave Brophy |
URL | www |
Commercial | Yes |
Registration | Required to Participate |
Launched | April 2003 |
The site was also ranked continuously from April 2006 to December 2008 in the top 3 websites in the UK by Hitwise for their "Entertainment - Nightlife" category.
The format of the site allowed any user to add event listings, post comments and upload photos from anywhere in the world. DSI members were known for their loyalty to and promotion of the site. Many users had also commented favourably about the site and its impact on their lives when it is mentioned by reviewers (see comments here for an example).
DSI users (often referred to "DSIers"), also used DontStayIn to set up events[1][2] and user-groups[3][4] to promote the meeting up of DSIers in real life.
In November 2006 DSI was reportedly used to organise[5] what has been described as the biggest flash mob ever in Paddington Station, London, UK.
In 2005, DSI was featured in a documentary[6] made by Juniper TV[7] as part of Channel 4's "Trouble Online" series[8] that profiled new media enterprises that have been set up by young entrepreneurs.
On 14 April 2009, DontStayIn Ltd was acquired for an undisclosed sum by Development Hell Ltd, the publishers of The Word and Mixmag.[9]
In December 2012 DontStayIn was taken over by Love Socio Ltd, a subsidiary company of Web Giants Ltd., and the website was revamped the following year. Both the main website and the associated Facebook page ceased being updating in mid-2016.
Awards/History
2003
Set up by founders under initial name of "YouGotSpotted.com"
2004
Renamed "DontStayIn.com" Archive.org snapshot of site
2005
Won the House Music Awards prize for "Best Web Resource".[10]
2006
Entered the "Hitwise" top 3 for the category "Entertainment - Nightlife" in the UK Q2/2006 Hitwise
Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award
Won the Musik 4 You Awards "Best Website" award
2007
Became number 1 in the "Hitwise" rankings for the category "Entertainment - Nightlife" in the UK Q2/2007 Hitwise - remained number 1 until Q4/2008
Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award
Won the Hardcore Heaven Awards "Best Website" award
2008
Won the Hard Dance Awards "Best Website" award
2009
Taken over by Development Hell Ltd.
2012
Taken over by Love Socio Ltd, a subsidiary company of Web Giants Ltd.
2013
The Don't Stay In brand was updated in June 2013 followed by a complete website update. The first phase of the new update was launched in Beta in July 2013.
2016
Both the main DSI website and the associated Facebook page ceased to be updated in early 2016.
DSI Stats
From the site[11] (as of 28 April 2009):
- Photos - Nearly 12 million photos have been uploaded to DSI so far. On average around 150,000 photos are uploaded every month and there are around 13 million photo viewings every month.
- Events - The number of events on DSI is over 210,000. Around 2500 new events are added every month.
- Verified members - There are now over 490,000 registered members on DSI. Around 2,500 new members are signing up every month. Around 35,000 log in at least once per month.
- Forum Posts - There are over 20 million discussion forum posts on DSI. Over 120,000 forum posts are written every month.
References
- Camp DSI 2006 - DSI's 3rd Birthday! - DontStayIn Archived 5 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- DSI Does.. Alton Towers Round 2 - DontStayIn Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- DSI Does... group - DontStayIn Archived 2 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- DontStayIn events group - DontStayIn Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- UTalkMarketing - Digital marketing rallies mob
- "Download our channel 4 programme!" - DontStayIn Archived 1 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- Juniper Tv Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- Money and Business from Channel4.com
- Mixmag publisher Development Hell buys DontStayIn.com
- "House Music Awards 2005 - UKMusic.com - Upfront and Ruthlessly Independent". Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2007.
- stats - DontStayIn Archived 11 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine