Foursquare is having its Times Square thunder stolen, it seems.
The New York City-based startup has been visible many times on some of the huge billboards in the center of the universe. But this year competitor Facebook Places is getting a free ad in Times Square and now Boston-based competitor SCVNGR has taken over a flashy corner of its own.
SCVNGR is like Foursquare, but more work (or more fun, depending on who you ask). Users complete “challenges” like uploading a picture of yourself high-fiving a stranger or making origami out of burrito foil. It essentially turns the city into a treasure hunt.
SCVNGR has had a slew of high-profile partnerships, inlcuding AT&T and Weezer, and now it’s partnered with American Eagle to ring in the New Year. A 25-ft display in Times Square will encourage people to play SCVNGR from now until January 1. For each person who completes the American Eagle challenge, which involves making resolutions and taking photos of American Eagle ads, both companies will donate $5 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
SCVNGR is backed by Google Ventures and Highland Capital.
ajeffries [at] observer.com | @adrjeffries
