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BeanJar brings real-world rewards for video game winners
Wednesday March 10th 2010 05:15:00 PM

BeanJar is a new game awards company that launched in the last week, and competing today as a finalist in the startup competition at our GamesBeat@GDC conference in San Francisco.

The company?s goal is to create a rewards system for video games, giving real prizes to players for their accomplishments in a game.

The system works a lot like tickets at an arcade, but in this case, they?re called ?Beans.? You get a certain number of beans for doing specific things in a game. Players store those beans, and eventually cash them out for coupons to buy real-life goods. Instead of the pointless toys you?d get at an arcade, though, BeanJar plans to work with real, brick-and-mortar stores to provide better rewards, from free drinks to things bigger and better.

The idea, the company says, is a win for everyone. For companies, they get to sponsor a game and get advertising in front of gamers, as well as bring new customers to come to their stores because free stuff is so compelling. For game publishers, signing up these sponsors is a better revenue stream than having to put annoying ads into games. For gamers, well, they get free stuff, all based on their location and preferences.

Other companies, like Yowza, SuperRewards, and JumpTap, have all tried a portion of this model, but tying coupons to rewards to video games is something only BeanJar appears to be doing. The real-world rewards is a particularly compelling point for game publishers, because it might make players play and care more than they would if the spoils of victory were only within the game itself.

BeanJar?s money comes from collecting a small fee every time a player earns a Bean for a particular retailer, and again every time players cash out their Beans to make a purchase. Those fees get shared between BeanJar and the game publisher.

The company has launched in beta, with one game and a few retailers available. The company is currently four people, and they?ve raised $375,000 for BeanJar.

Read all of our coverage from GamesBeat@GDC

Tags: GamesBeat@GDC

Companies: co:BeanJar

BeanJar is a new game awards company that launched in the last week, and competing today as a finalist in the startup competition at our GamesBeat@GDC conference in San Francisco.

The company?s goal is to create a rewards system for video games, giving real prizes to players for their accomplishments in a game.

The system works a lot like tickets at an arcade, but in this case, they?re called ?Beans.? You get a certain number of beans for doing specific things in a game. Players store those beans, and eventually cash them out for coupons to buy real-life goods. Instead of the pointless toys you?d get at an arcade, though, BeanJar plans to work with real, brick-and-mortar stores to provide better rewards, from free drinks to things bigger and better.

The idea, the company says, is a win for everyone. For companies, they get to sponsor a game and get advertising in front of gamers, as well as bring new customers to come to their stores because free stuff is so compelling. For game publishers, signing up these sponsors is a better revenue stream than having to put annoying ads into games. For gamers, well, they get free stuff, all based on their location and preferences.

Other companies, like Yowza, SuperRewards, and JumpTap, have all tried a portion of this model, but tying coupons to rewards to video games is something only BeanJar appears to be doing. The real-world rewards is a particularly compelling point for game publishers, because it might make players play and care more than they would if the spoils of victory were only within the game itself.

BeanJar?s money comes from collecting a small fee every time a player earns a Bean for a particular retailer, and again every time players cash out their Beans to make a purchase. Those fees get shared between BeanJar and the game publisher.

The company has launched in beta, with one game and a few retailers available. The company is currently four people, and they?ve raised $375,000 for BeanJar.

Read all of our coverage from GamesBeat@GDC

Tags: GamesBeat@GDC

Companies: co:BeanJar

International Merchant Advisors to Complete Purchase of Medical Marijuana Company Organic Science, Inc. (PR Newswire)
Wednesday March 10th 2010 02:04:40 PM

International Merchant Advisors, Inc. www.imaiinc.com announced today that the company is preparing to complete the purchase of medical marijuana management and development company Organic Science, Inc. Organic Science, Inc. is intended to become the primary operating subsidiary of IMAI in this business segment, and is focused on the implementation of Organic's plans for acquisition and development of medically supervised Wellness Centers and medical marijuana clinics in selected markets throughout the USA. International Merchant Advisors agreement to purchase Organic Science is subject to a valuation from an independent third party, and CEO Mel Roseman offered this update on its progress, "We believe that the valuation will meet or exceed our expectations, and anticipate closing on the purchase of Organic Science.

Fidelis Energy Announces Appointment of Eric Esposito to Board of Directors and Brings Aboard Two New Executives to Advance FDEI's Solar Development Plans
Wednesday March 10th 2010 01:00:00 PM

BEVERLY HILLS, CA--(Marketwire - March 10, 2010) - Fidelis Energy Inc. (PINKSHEETS: FDEI) ("Fidelis" or the "Company") today announced several changes in management to strengthen the Company's focus and future direction.

Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant will open in Overland Park
Wednesday March 10th 2010 12:28:30 PM

A Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant will open in May or June in the former Uno?s Chicago Grill building at 8420 W. 135th St. in Overland Park.

Twitter Fights Phishing, Malware with Link Scanning Service
Wednesday March 10th 2010 12:27:13 PM

Twitter has announced it will begin scanning links posted by users to thwart phishing attacks and the spread of malware on the site.
- Twitter has announced plans to route all links through a scanner in a bid to boost security and weed out malicious activity. The move follows a partnership announced in November between URL shortening service Bit.ly and security companies VeriSign, Websense and Sophos. “By routing all ...

Mandee Rocks Chicago with Opening of 124th Store
Wednesday March 10th 2010 09:28:00 AM

TOTOWA, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mandee (www.mandee.com), the fast-fashion retail chain, will open its 124th store on Friday, March 12th at the Harlem Irving Plaza Mall.

Solartech, First American Owned Solar Panel Manufacturer in Eastern U.S., Coming to TechCity
Wednesday March 10th 2010 09:19:00 AM

KINGSTON, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Assemblyman Kevin Cahill joined with Congressman Maurice Hinchey, NYSERDA President Francis Murray, and CEO of the Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) Vincent Cozzolino to announce that solar module manufacturer, Solartech Renewables, LLC will open a new manufacturing facility at TechCity. The company will create 100 jobs immediately and will likely expand to 300 employees over the next five years. Assemblyman Cahill worked with the Empire State Development Corporatio

Micromet to sell more shares
Wednesday March 10th 2010 07:38:17 AM

Bethesda-based Micromet, whose research and development costs tripled last quarter, plans to sell more stock to the public in a secondary offering. (MITI)

Facet, InterMune lead biotech stocks north
Wednesday March 10th 2010 07:07:33 AM

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Facet Biotech Corp. and InterMune Inc. were the lead advancers among biotech stocks Wednesday, with both stocks rocketing over 60% in early trading. Facet shares shot up to $26.95, the morning after Abbott Laboratories said it plans to buy the drug developer for $27 a share in cash. InterMune shares, meanwhile, soared to $38.11 on news that an advisory panel of the U.S. Food And Drug Administration had voted Tuesday to recommend that agency approve its new pulmonary drug. The NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index jumped 4.6% to 1221.35, pushed higher by component InterMune. The NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index was largely flat at 306.00.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

China plans new trade office as global disputes grow: sources
Wednesday March 10th 2010 12:25:29 AM

BEIJING/GENEVA (Reuters) - China is setting up a new agency to help streamline its trade negotiating bureaucracy as the world's third-largest economy faces a growing number of commercial disputes.

ROM pushes forward with plans at Clacton and Bescot Retail Parks
Wednesday March 10th 2010 12:17:00 AM

ROM Capital Group has submitted plans for at a six-screen multiplex cinema at the Clacton Factory Outlet park and won consent for two large stores at Bescot Retail Park

MySpace looks to the past for its future
Wednesday March 10th 2010 12:00:00 AM

The social networking site plans to return to its roots by pushing entertainment content and jettisoning portal-like features.

In a last-ditch effort to revive struggling MySpace, owner News Corp. has adopted a new strategy that it hopes will give the site's millions of users a reason to keep coming back.

China's BYD may put plant in California: report
Tuesday March 9th 2010 06:28:00 PM

Chinese car maker BYD may reportedly build an assembly plant and open its North American headquarters in Los Angeles County.

University of Kansas Hospital plans $12M addition to medical office building
Tuesday March 9th 2010 03:30:27 PM

The University of Kansas Hospital has added 26,000 square feet to the medical office building under construction at its Kansas City, Kan., facility. The cost of the addition is estimated at $12 million.

American Eagle to close MARTIN+OSA brand
Tuesday March 9th 2010 02:10:58 PM

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- American Eagle Outfitters Inc. said late Tuesday it plans to close its MARTIN+OSA brand, including all 28 stores and its online operations. "Although performance improved from fiscal 2008, management determined that the brand was not achieving performance levels that warrant further investment," American Eagle said in a statement. In fiscal 2009, MARTIN+OSA reported an after-tax loss of about $44 million. The retailer will now focus its resources on the American Eagle family of brands including, AE, aerie and 77kids, which it believes have a greater potential of creating long-term shareholder value. Shares of American Eagle were up 6.4% to $18.24 in after-hours action.

Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.

hhgregg Announces 115 Job Openings in Hagerstown, MD and Winchester, VA
Tuesday March 9th 2010 11:00:00 AM

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics leader hhgregg (NYSE:HGG) announced it is looking to fill approximately 100 job openings for two new stores located in Hagerstown, Maryland and Winchester, Virginia that are scheduled to open this Spring. The company also plans to hire 15 managers-in-training for additional stores it plans to open in the area later this year. hhgregg expects to hire about 50 sales associates, warehouse staff and customer service m

Israel, Syria eye nuclear power plants
Tuesday March 9th 2010 09:37:00 AM

AFP - PARIS (AFP) - Israel and Syria each announced plans Tuesday to develop nuclear power to meet the energy needs of the volatile Middle East, during a conference hosted by France to promote reactors.

House Plans and More Redesigns Its Blog
Tuesday March 9th 2010 06:16:00 AM

ST. LOUIS, MO--(Marketwire - March 9, 2010) - HDA, Inc., a premier home plan publisher, offers a one-stop shop for all builders and consumers with their innovative Web site, www.HousePlansandMore.com. In addition to more than 17,000 various home plans available for purchase, visitors to this site will find an abundance of information and a community discussion arena within the St. Louis-based company's interactive blog.

hhgregg Announces the Grand Opening of its Virginia Beach, VA and Newport News, VA stores
Tuesday March 9th 2010 05:30:00 AM

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Indianapolis-based appliance and electronics leader hhgregg (NYSE:HGG) today announced that it will open two new stores in the state of Virginia on Thursday, March, 11th. The new stores are located in Virginia Beach at 3421 Virginia Beach Blvd. and Newport News at 12140 Jefferson Ave. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for each store will take place at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, followed by the official store openings at 3:00 p.m. Grand Opening sales will be held at each new st

New President of Sunergy, Inc. Karl Baum Conducts Exclusive Webcast Interview With The Green Baron Report to Discuss Its Gold Properties and Recent News
Tuesday March 9th 2010 04:30:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - March 9, 2010) - Sunergy, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCBB: SNEY) is pleased to announce that President and Director Mr. Karl A. Baum has conducted an exclusive new audio-taped webcast interview so that SNEY shareholders and the investment community can learn more about the Company's recent developments and plans. Unrestricted access to the webcast is now available on the "Webcasts" page at www.TheGreenBaron.com. This webcast is also available at www.StrictlyStocks.com, "Where Wall Street speaks to the World."

Solar Power, Inc. Receives Initial Commitment of $24.7 Million from $787 Billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Tuesday March 9th 2010 03:00:00 AM

ROSEVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Solar Power, Inc. (“SPI”) (OTCBB:SOPW) announced today that it has received an initial commitment of $24.7 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds (RZFB) by Sacramento County and is exploring plans to open a manufacturing facility within Sacramento County to build its high-performance solar panels. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law a $787 billion stimulus bill known as The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). T

Germany?s Bigpoint lines up Battlestar Galactica online game
Tuesday March 9th 2010 01:34:22 AM

In a coup for a German online game company, Bigpoint is announcing today that it will make a Battlestar Galactica online game for the SyFy Channel.

The deal is part of an ambitious expansion by Bigpoint into the U.S. market. The company has 340 employees making online games in Hamburg, Germany, but it has opened a San Francisco office and plans to hire 30 people here. Bigpoint has made its name making free-to-play hardcore online games that are monetized through virtual goods transactions. That business model took off overseas but is now growing fast here, said Nils-Holger Henning, chief creative officer of Bigpoint, in an interview.

With a worldwide reach, Bigpoint has 110 million registered users and 20 million monthly active users for its 50 games in 30 languages. But its brand name is hardly recognizable in the U.S., and that’s why the company is doing the Battlestar Galactica game as well as other branded games coming down the road.

In June, 2008, NBC Universal and General Electric’s Peacock Equity Fund acquired a 70 percent share of Bigpoint. Because of that deal, Bigpoint provides online games for various NBC portals, including the SyFy Channel and USA Network web sites. But this is the first branded effort.

“It’s a big step in the market,” Henning said. “Until now, we didn’t work close together.”

Bigpoint will also make games based on the movie properties of Universal Studios. Those games should help the company expand its share in the U.S., which is already a big market for Bigpoint alongside Europe and Asia. The company is expanding here because, Henning said, “We realize that it doesn’t work with us sitting in Hamburg. That’s why our CEO [Heiko Hubertz] is moving here for nine months.”

The Battlestar Galactica game will be a free-to-play online game where you can engage in spaceship battles and do other things. The game closely follows the storyline and can be played in a web browser since it will use the Unity Technologies browser-based 3-D graphics engine. Full told, the Battlestar Galactica will be in development for a year before it debuts, though its budget is not as big as a typical console game. So far, NBC Universal isn’t saying which Battlestar Galactica assets — such as Tricia Helfer’s likeness — will be used.

These types of games have been good for Bigpoint’s financial growth. The company says about 10 percent of its users pay for games and the average revenue per paying user is about $35 per month for the company’s top games. For broader interest games, that number is smaller. But it suggests that revenue for the company can be considerable. Annual revenue is in the three-digit millions.

The game will debut in the late summer and it will be distributed across a number of sites on the web. At the Game Developers Conference this week in San Francisco, Bigpoint is also showing prototypes of games where you can play the same game on an iPhone or the web, with players on different platforms interacting in the same game. Using technology from Unity Technologies, Bigpoint’s Project Uniter will combine iPhone and web gamers together in the same racing matches.

Bigpoint’s rivals include Germany’s Gameforge as well as others such as Artix Entertainment, Akama, Aeria, and K2 Network.

In a coup for a German online game company, Bigpoint is announcing today that it will make a Battlestar Galactica online game for the SyFy Channel.