Erie Isle Announces Change of Ownership

Erie Isle: Haunted Island Roleplay, one of Second Life’s® most popular roleplay destinations and innovator in the genre, announces the completion of the transfer of ownership to long-time Erie Isle player, Garaan Fitzroy.

Erie Isle, a Second Life based roleplay complex of four sims featuring a current-day haunted island theme, announces the transfer of ownership from founder Colleen Marjeta, to long-time Erie Isle player and collaborator to the original Erie mythos, Garaan Fitzroy.

Under Marjeta’s leadership, the Erie players and staff quickly brought Erie Isle to the forefront of SL roleplay. Providing a well developed mythos and environment for roleplay was at the core of Colleen Marjeta’s philosophy, but she also encouraged innovative ways to introduce Erie to broader audiences. Erie Isle has hosted mixed events for players and non-player guest like movies, plays, and concerts at the Phantom Theatre, movie screenings with real life filmmakers present to interact with SL residents, and kept a presence in SL media. This approach helped Erie Isle to grow to more than two thousand member players and aided it with being voted “Number One Place for Roleplay” in the Second Life Residents Choice Awards.

Marjeta’s decision to depart from an ownership role was a purely practical one, and based on her concern for Erie Isle and its future. Despite her deep affection for the project, it’s players, and it’s great stories, first life commitments were preventing Colleen from giving Erie the attention it needs and deserves. Garaan Fitzroy’s stepping forward is truly fortuitous for Erie Isle and the fact that he’s been actively involved all along gives Marjeta peace of mind that Erie will continue to grow and develop.

Fitzroy acknowledges the challenge with an open mind. He says: “I have a lot to live up to…I had previously been a staff member around when Erie came into existence, but I had not ever considered owning my own RP sim mainly because I had found my home in Erie”. Garaan Fitzroy is excited to take on this new role and assures Erie Isle players that the roleplay they’ve helped evolve will be preserved. “Erie has a rich back-story, from both players as well as the one originally created. I am just going to put the spotlight back on it, and let the players have fun”.

Erie Isle staff can expect to assist Fitzroy in getting an administrative overview, but outside of that, the transition is expected to be smooth and will not interrupt roleplay. Erie Isle owes its success to the great players and staff that call it home. Erie Isle is here to stay and will continue to provide a unique, fun, and innovative place for roleplay in Second Life.

METAHYPE Press release: Uptown Square

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Madison Blanc

Second Life® Uptown Square /58/60/36 – THE GRID GLITTERS AS DRAMA-TAINMENT MEETS ULTRA-LUXURIOUS RETAIL BLISS:

Second Life developers, The Opulence Crux Conglomerate will unveil their foray into the luxury mall development world on May 1st with a full-scale cosmopolitan sim aimed at Second Life’s growing appetite for luxury goods and cutting edge entertainment.

With inspiration from the fashion centers of the terrestrial world, Uptown Square features four distinct districts that pay homage these global shopping capitals. There is the urban grit of New York City, the easy-going glamour of Los Angeles, the old-world style of Milan, and the romantic charm of Paris. Each area will contain one anchor store along with smaller shops that face elegant gathering areas, each representing its respective theme. Conceptualized and designed by Madison Blanc and SchMoke Seelowe, Uptown Square is realized in plush detail by the building duo of Sensuous and Supremius Maximus. For all involved in the construction stage, Uptown Square represents their strong sense of style and tireless attention to detail quality.

Uptown Square promises to not only feature the finest designs in luxury goods, but will also be a hub for SL entertainment. At the sim center sits the Metropolitan Club. The Metropolitan Club, built in striking deco style, will be the home base for SL’s leading DJ, SchMoke Seelowe. The Metropolitan Club’s roster of events includes, live music, live streaming sports and “Showtime at the Metro”, a live vocal competition. Adjacent to the Metropolitan Club is the new home to the “Top Model” modeling agency, one of SL’s most celebrated agencies. Known for elaborate fashion shows and real life level professionalism, Top Model will feature regular shows for Uptown Square’s fashion forward audiences. The sim will also house the unique “Uptown Square Municipal Court”. Using a structure developed by real life consulting attorneys, the Municipal Court will act out court sessions as is done in real life. Located in the New York City section, the Municipal Court will deliberate in weekly sessions to settle disputes in an entertaining way between SL couples and will settle small claims.

Uptown Square has been six months in the making from concept to final details. Upon opening, Uptown Square will celebrate the close of its construction phase and mark a new beginning of providing a dynamic community for SL citizens with discerning taste. Members of the media are cordially invited to preview Uptown Square. Personal tours are available on request. For additional information, please contact Madison Blanc.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Uptown%20Square/86/109/36

/me sticks her tippy-toe into the pool

OK, here we go I guess...

Roughly one year ago I started metahype to help promote Second Life® musicians in-world. The name "metahype" was actually meant to be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the overselling of SL as a marketing tool for real world businesses at the time. As is evident by the handful of rl corporate sims now sitting empty or extinct, the gold rush mentality drummed up by a few opportunist simply did not live up to the 'hype'. Interestingly, while theses Goliaths were wondering why no one was paying attention, many of SL's in-world businesses were chugging along, expanding, and thriving. In-world entrepreneurs and their brands had the distinct advantage of not having to re-think their marketing and could simply evolve and help shape their own model for promotion. It's a great, and on-going story and for me, and through metahype, it's a pleasure to be along for the ride.

Metahype has grown over the year and continues to thanks to the addition of Ehme Sands as a partner but equally from a loyal base of clients. I hope to make this blog a place where metahype can share branding success stories, trends and tips with SL businesses. The blog will also chronicle the evolution of SL marketing and media as each grows more sophisticated. It’s an exciting, dynamic, and fascinating environment and for me it’s an honor for metahype to be involved.