Did you know that Google was originally named BackRub? Or that Nintendo was Marafuku? Or that Pepsi went by the name of Brad’s Drink? Or that Yahoo was called Jerry’s Guide to the World Wide Web? Or that LocalUncle was formerly known as loqize.me?

Needless to say there have been many historic name changes in corporate history folklore. LocalUncle is no different. And you can now add us to the list of famous corporate name changes. As of today we shall be known as LocalUncle!

Brief Explanation

So the billion dollar question is “Why?” Well that’s pretty simple. When we opened up our first US office here in New York City we quickly found out that people didn’t know how to spell “loqize.me”. And that wasn’t their fault, it was ours. It’s what happens when you have founders who are fluent in too many languages and grew up outside the US (i.e., non-native English speakers).

Once we realized we needed a new name we first looked to you and other members for advice. And we got some really great ideas! Looking at your suggestions we came to the conclusion that LocalUncle was the best fit. We realized that almost everybody has family in another city. And when you have a “LocalUncle” or a “LocalAunt” somewhere you feel at home even though you’re in a new area. Additionally your local family is able to provide you with great perks and additional benefits like local advice, food and sometimes even a little extra pocket change for when you’re ready to explore the city. And that’s exactly what we want to be for you! (minus the extra pocket change of course) We want to be the local family you can turn to for great local advice and food! Yes, we’ll have cookies for those who stop by the new office in NYC! Just make sure to tweet ahead and let us know when you’ll be stopping by and the type of cookies you like.

What do I have to do?

So the multi-billion dollar question, “How does the new name change affect you?” Are you going to have to register again? Are you going to have to create a new profile page? Upload a new picture? Make a new signature? Dress up as Spider-Man? No, no, no, no, and may be. Or in other words, it doesn’t really affect you because we’ll take care of all the hard work and transitioning you over.

The only thing you have to do (yes, you have to) is LIKE our new Facebook Page because we can’t change the name of our old one (thanks for that one, Mark!) and have to start from scratch there.

Click this LIKE button!

One last thing

Don’t forget to take down your loqize.me posters hanging above your beds and get your new LocalUncle posters! Also for those who already went out and got a loqize.me tattoo: we’re sorry. We’ll pay 100% of the price for a new LocalUncle tattoo (we’re not even kidding!). If you’ve been sitting on the fence and want to get a LocalUncle tattoo too we’ll also pay for yours. We’re in NYC after all, the city that never gets just 1 tattoo … or something like that.

- Your New LocalUncles