The Boston Globe, Boston.com and SCVNGR Launch "Boston Globe Trek"

BOSTON, MA–(Marketwire – July 12, 2010) –  The Boston Globe and Boston.com are launching the “Boston Globe Trek” on SCVNGR starting Monday, July 12, encouraging Bostonians to hit the streets and experience a mobile social game that allows players to earn points by participating in challenges like taking photos, scanning QR codes or checking in from different locations.

Challenges for the Boston Globe Trek have been designed to reflect a range of interesting topics covered by The Boston Globe: sports, movies, technology, romance and photography. The challenges will take players everywhere from universities to candy shops to the Public Garden, even the local pub.

Ultimate sports fans in the City of Champions can snap a picture of the Larry Bird bronze statue in Quincy Market and score two points. If tech is more your style, head over to the Harvard campus and take a photo in front of the dorms for three points (Facebook started on Harvard’s campus). Or for lovebirds, reenact JFK’s proposal to Jackie O. at the Omni Parker House for four points.

As those who are playing SCVNGR already might expect, badges are awarded for successfully completing the array of challenges. There’s even a newspaper badge that players can unlock by scanning barcodes at newspaper boxes around town.

Bob Kempf, vice president, digital, The Boston Globe, said, “This interactive promotion brings our readers and the city closer together in a fun-filled way. We’re all looking forward to getting our first trek underway with SCVNGR.”

“Whatever your interest, this is a wicked cool way for Bostonians and visitors to explore the city,” said Seth Priebatsch, SCVNGR’s Chief Ninja. “Just grab your mobile device, get the SCVNGR app, and have these pros help you take on the city in a way that is different than the typical print and Web experience.”

To play, grab the free SCVNGR app from the Android Market or Apple App Store.

For more information go to boston.com/scvngr.

About The Boston Globe:
The Boston Globe is wholly owned by The New York Times Company, a leading media company with 2009 revenues of $2.4 billion, which includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers and more than 50 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company’s core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

About SCVNGR:
SCVNGR is part game, part game platform. Playing is simple. Go places. Do challenges. Earn points. SCVNGR is played via a free iPhone/Android app. Any individual or enterprise can also build on SCVNGR by adding challenges at their favorite locations. SCVNGR is funded by Google Ventures and Highland Capital Partners. Visit www.scvngr.com to learn more.