Official Playboy Demise in SL

I have been an observer of the Playboy brand in sl for more that a year now. I have been fascinated with how and why companies choose to have a SL component for exposure, sales and increased visibility throughout the SL world.
The contract (which btw) was the only official island of Playboy. Many others paid a license fee to use the name within SL.
There is much written on the rise of the brand within SL and now like many brands, the license was pulled from MSgiro Grosso and we see another brand disappear from SL sight.
The Playboy island enjoyed success with broken records for their parties and events. My impression when I first attended was just another strip club feeding off the Playboy brand. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not a strip club. The bunnies were professional and brought great fun to the events and boosted the numbers by sheer entertainment. It became a place people wanted to be and be seen.
This run is due in my opinion to the managers and bunnies that worked tirelessly to promote the island and the brand in a way that was not only classy and upbeat but by continuing to find new ways to entertain the Playboy VIP's.
Watching the group grow leaps and bounds was evidence that they were doing something right. It was also my impression that there was little or no exposure to the man who claimed to have brought Playboy to SL, Mr. Grosso. I personally have never seen him on the island or heard of him until I investigated in the record of owner.
I returned one day to find that the managers had turned over .. two quit and one was fired. The subsequent team that took over began to model the brand after other clubs in SL. Nudity was allowed and encouraged. It began to resemble a strip club in most aspects of operations. The classic bunny uniform was now transformed to resemble those seen in adult entertainment venues.
The numbers dropped and it appeared that many stimulus pushes were tried in an effort to bolster the numbers to the island. It would appear that at some point , staff was advised that they would not be paid as they had been. They were expected to work for tips, which in sl can still be lucrative if the numbers are maintained.
New content failed to rouse the crowds they had enjoyed under the previous management. Mr. Grosso lost the contract and now we see a spiral to the end. I have just received notice from another VIP that states ...Playboy Island will be closing on December 31st.. another valuable brand bites the dust in sl...
playboy observer

ACS grand re-opening TODAY!

American Cancer Society Announces Grand Re-Opening of Second Life Island Office
Sunday November 2, 2008
The American Cancer Society announces the grand re-opening of the newly re-designed island in the virtual world. For several years, the American Cancer Society has existed in Second Life through its volunteers, Relay For Life event, and an island that served as a central meeting place for volunteers and avatars, of those who are affected by cancer.
Over the last several months, the island has been completely redesigned to meet the growing needs of cancer patients and American Cancer Society volunteers in Second Life. In 2008, the Relay For Life of Second Life volunteers raised over $200,000 USD which cumulated with an event that was attended by more than 2,000 avatars on 35 sims.The new American Cancer Society Island in Second Life will feature a "Hope Haven," a place where the cancer survivor support group can meet regularly and in private so they can share intimate information with each other to help cope with diagnoses and treatment, as well as provide comfort and support for one another.
The new Island will also feature a 4-story, two-tiered office building that will be dedicated to Relay For Life volunteers. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer volunteers, Island Greeter volunteers, and an Information Library. American Cancer Society pamphlets and brochures will provide information related to cancer prevention, treatment options, support and information will be available in the Information Library, as well as informative videos about the history of the American Cancer Society, cancer information, patient support programs, and Relay For Life information.
Visitors will arrive at the island at the Welcome Center, where a volunteer will be available at all times to greet and provide direction and/or information. The island will also feature a Memorial Garden to remember loved ones lost, 2 amphitheaters for large meetings, several smaller outdoor meeting areas, and a medium sized office space in a separate building. Events will begin at 9.30am SLT with an opening ceremony scheduled to begin at 10am SLT, from 9.30 on visitors will be entertained by the lively DJs at T1 Radio while wandering tours take place. There will be greeters stationed around the island to direct and answer any questions and explain the area visitors find themselves in.
At 10.00am SLT opening comments and thank yous will take place hosted by Stingray9798 Raymaker in the Southeast Amphitheatre.
11am will see the Survivors' Makeover/Fashion Show sponsored and supported by FACES with Cinders Vale, Poppy Zabelin and Serendipity Nerd followed by a closing speech from Stingray9798 Raymaker.
*Please see full schedule of events below.
The objective of the new design has been to provide visitors with a breathtaking view, peaceful atmosphere, and a comfortable place for volunteers and those seeking information to return as often as they like. "The American Cancer Society plans to utilize the virtual office no differently (in concept) than any other office in any other city," says Jeffrey Montegut, the American Cancer Society's Second Life Manager. "The same services that are offered in a real life office should be available to the Second Life community, because there are real people facing real issues behind each and every avatar. The American Cancer Society recognizes that, and fully supports our volunteers in Second Life."

Schedule of events: (times maybe subject to change)

Sunday 10/5/08
Open @ 9:30 AM SLT Ceremony @ 10:00 AM SLT
9:30 AM SLT Wandering Tour (30 minutes) - T1 Radio Streams Music
10:00 AM SLT Southeast Amphitheater - Stingray9798 Raymaker
10:15 AM SLT - Video stream of American Cancer Society-funded researcher
10:30 AM SLT Wandering Tour Break (30 minutes) - - T1 Radio Streams Music
11:00 AM SLT Survivors' Makeover/Fashion Show
11:30 AM SLT Future Plans/Closing - - Stingray9798 Raymaker

**The American Cancer Soiety would like to extend a special thanks to the following designers for their support and patience.**
Minnu Palen & Thora Charron - MM Skins/Hair & Cachet
Maddox Dupont - KMADD City & MADesigns Shapes
Nicky Ree - Designing Nicky Ree
Rosemary Galbraith - M&R CUPCAKES
Mavis McGettigan - Skin Flicks
Blaze Columbia - Blaze*
Torrid Midnight - TorridWear
Fallingwater Cellardoor - ShinyThings
Machang Pichot - AOHARU
Onyx LeShelle - Maitreya
Annyka Bekkers - Blowpop
LeeZu Baxter - LeeZu Baxter Designs
Lion Jonesford - Lion Skins
Barbara Nicholls & GM Nikolaidis - SporkCheer
No Destiny - a.C Store
Scar Ayres - A. D. Studios
And last but not least a special thank you to Bora Rossini and his building crew.

BNT Orientation Island opens in North

December 1, 2007, marks the day when Orientation Island, housed in the BnT Holdings Ancapistan estate sim, North, celebrates it’s Grand Opening.

This finely crafted region welcomes newcomers to Second Life by providing step-by-step guides for all of the metaverse basics, such as “Appearance,” “Movement,” “Flying,” “Search” and “Building.”
A specially designed HUD, available to all visitors, further assists guests as they tour the sim, by leading them easily from one tutorial to the next.
Additional items, such as skin, hair and clothing are just a few of the “freebies” that will help “newbies” achieve their own in-world style and ease them into this virtual world.
Even seasoned SL veterans can benefit from a visit to North, as “Business” and “Scripting” are among the featured tutorials.
There’s even an “Arts” area for those who enjoy a cultural experience and are interested in “Sculpties” and other creative inventions.
BnT Holdings invites all residents to explore their newest attraction and experience all that it has to offer. Visit our Orientation Island today at North 128, 125, 32.

Candyrose - even the name sounds sweet

Its hard when you start SL to find a home base somewhere to chat and catchup with friends new and old, somewhere to just relax but this is what Serina DeVinna her partner and friends have built here in secondlife. Find out more in our EXPLORE section