SCVNGR Launches Rewards in Philadelphia

Mobile Application Helps Local Businesses Drive Traffic, Activate Buzz, Increase Sales


CAMBRIDGE, MA--(Marketwire - September 14, 2010) -  Philadelphia, the city that loves you back, just so happens to be a city we have a major crush on. So starting today, we're making Philly the second city to roll out rewards to local businesses.

Fifty of Philadelphia's top restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and venues have built on SCVNGR to let customers earn rewards towards discounts and free products, simply by going to cool places in and around the city, doing challenges, and earning points on an iPhone or Android phone.

"With rewards Philadelphia businesses can drive traffic, increase engagement, activate buzz and drive sales in measurable and reproducible ways," said John Valentine, Philly Rewards Phanatic at SCVNGR. "Rewards further strengthens our ties with Philly, as SCVNGR got its start with seed accelerator DreamIt Ventures and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, Independence Visitor Center Corporation, City of Philadelphia, and solidified themselves as innovators in the destination marketing industry by partnering with SCVNGR to launch custom Find Your Philly(SM)treks."

Participating businesses are being armed with tons of swag to activate their location, including outdoor signage and window stickers so consumers know where they can play SCVNGR to unlock free goodies. Some of the sweet challenges and rewards in and around Philadelphia include:

  • Guacamole served to your table by bicycle? We need a pic to believe it at El Vez -- get the famous macho nachos for ½ off
  • Swing by Chickie's & Pete's, voted #1 sports bar in the northeast by ESPN, and snap a pic of the best seat in the house -- nom nom get 25% of your order of mussels
  • Croon to your favorite song on the jukebox at Drinker's Tavern -- score a free t-shirt!
  • Head to the Continental Mid-Town and let us know how you'd like your martini (James Bond likes his shaken, not stirred) -- zing, score an awesome free dessert
  • For all you culinary kids, suggest a new panini to the Sous Chef at one of three Gia Prontos locations -- buy 4 salad ingredients and get 2 free!

The first 50 locations that have signed up in Philadelphia are: Adventure Aquarium, Caribou Café, Cavanaugh's, Centennial Café, City Tap House, Continental Mid-Town, Continental Old City, Copabanana, Drinker's Pub, Drinker's Tavern, Drinker's West, El Rey, El Vez, Field House, Hard Rock Philadelphia, Jones, Ladder 15, Landmark Americana, Le Bar Lyonnais, Lucy's, Mad River Old City, Mad River Manayunk, MarBar, Mexican Post Old City, Mexican Post Love Park, MidAtlantic, New Deck Tavern, Noble Cookery, Noche, The Prime Rib, Public House, Pod, PYT, Slainte Pub & Grill, UpBar, World Cafe Live, WOK, Zinc Bistro, 3 Gia Prontos, 3 Green Line Cafes4 Chickie's and Pete's, and 6 Marathon Grills.

Interested in learning more? SCVNGR will be hosting a Rewards Philly Launch Party at the Field House tonight 6-8:00 PM, including tons of awesome challenges and treks to complete, plus tons of swag like a complimentary drink from Field House and pizza from SCVNGR. Can't make it? Email John at john@scvngr.com to find out how you can get your business on rewards.

So, grab the free SCVNGR app from the Android Market or Apple App Store. Open it up. Walk, bike, drive, or fly to Philadelphia. Do challenges. Earn points and unlock awesome rewards! 

About SCVNGR
SCVNGR is a game. Playing is simple: Go places. Do challenges. Earn points! You'll unlock real-world rewards and share where you are and what you're up to with your friends on SCVNGR, Facebook and Twitter. SCVNGR is played via a free iPhone & Android app. But playing SCVNGR is only half of it. Individuals, enterprises and small businesses build on SCVNGR by adding custom challenges and rewards at their locations. SCVNGR is funded by Google Ventures and Highland Capital Partners. Visit www.scvngr.com to learn more.

Contact Information:

Media contacts:
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB)
Liz Sullivan
lizs@pcvb.org
215/636-3412

LaunchSquad for SCVNGR
Katie Cinnamond
Scvngr [at] launchsquad [dot] com
Boston: 617-945-1251