Businesses and organizations in Second Life

In the virtual world of "Second Life", there are a number of in-world business and user-groups founded specifically for the game, some of which have become legal entities in their own right, as well as preexisting companies and organizations that have involved themselves in the world.

Originating from "Second Life"

These businesses and organizations are legally registered or recognized entities created specifically for "Second Life". Groups affiliated with preexisting organizations are in the Operated inside "Second Life" section.

1st TOUCH Magazine

[http://1sttouchmagazine.com 1st TOUCH Magazine] was first launched inworld in March 2007 and made its online debut on 20th of July,2007. 1st TOUCH is a portal publication that covers Second Life stories that affect real life. Its creators, Marcus A. Link and Carmen Villadar now live together in Germany after meeting in Second Life.

Accident Designs

Founded in 2006 by Johan Bichel Lindegaard , [http://www.accidentdesigns.com Accident Designs] offers virtual architecture services, programming, project management and marketing in "Second Life".

Advanced Virtual

[http://www.advancedvirtual.com Advanced Virtual] , based in the UK is a full service creative media company whose focus is on taking real-world businesses into Second Life.

Aimee Weber Studio

:"See Alyssa LaRoche"

Ancapistan Capital Exchange

[http://www.ancapex.com/ ACE] is the newest of the SL stock exchanges, founded by BNT Holdings CEO IntLibber Brautigan. ACE is dedicated to compliance with SL Exchange Commission standards, openness, transparency, and community governance. It has already reached similar market volumes as more established exchanges occasionally and its listings are growing.

Anshe Chung Studios

:"See Anshe Chung"

ASID Media Design

ASID Media Design is run by Hiro Sheridan a Linden Lab approved [http://slusage.com Second Life Consultant] . ASID Media Design specializes in helping education, non-profit, and science-related organizations establish a presence in Second Life. Its services range from basic presentation facility design to full sim management.

Avatrian LLC

[http://www.avatrian.com Avatrian] is a full-service metaverse development shop that delivers products and services for 3D online digital worlds. Its product line includes prefabricated items such as houses, buildings, terrains, and avatars. Aside from these ready-made products, Avatrian also offers a wide range of services which include content creation, avatar customization, scripting with the Linden Scripting Language and sim terraformation.

Avatrian provides start-to-finish management of small to large-scale projects, such as building out an entire island or creating a large event for many participants.

Beatenetworks

[http://www.beatenetworks.com/ Beatenetworks] is a Marketing and Business Development firm based in Dusseldorf Germany, and is focused on providing guidance and solutions to users and businesses in Second Life. It was founded by Alice Klinger and Allison Selene in "Second Life". It specializes in areas such as event management in Second Life, Branding, Avatar Design, and Advertising.

Bekken's Manufacturing

Founded by Bekken Klaar in August of 2007, Bekken's Manufacturing (and it's subsidiary, Bekken's T-Shirt Emporium) seeks to provide all citizens of Second Life with quality goods for the lowest, economically feasible prices. Early on, the company eked out a niche with a pair of public buildings - hospital and police station - and has since diversified into the above mentioned t-shirt business and a growing science fiction brand: Bekken's Galactic Fleet (BGF). All builds are done by Bekken Klaar, with scripting assistance by Lillium Elcar. Mr. Klaar also runs a charitable organization which dispenses Bekken's Manufacturing products free of charge to new Second Life residents on a per case basis.

BidSL Auction House

[http://www.BidSL.com/ BidSL] Is a full-service auction house featuring resident-to-resident Second Life auctions as well as live auctions conducted by real life auctioneers completely inside of Second Life. The house was opened on September 8, 2007 by Jim Allen and Shannon Nohkan.

Bob Perrys Store

[http://www.bobperry.2ndlifetime.com/ Bob Perry's Store] is a company which runs a store and a casino within Second Life.

Brautigan & Tuck Holdings

Also known simply as "BNT" for its stock symbol on the Ancapistan Capital Exchange, [http://www.bntholdings.com/ Brautigan & Tuck Holdings, founded in October 2006, is an estate company and otherwise diversified conglomerate founded by IntLibber Brautigan. Owning more than 40 sims, it is the largest publicly traded estate company in SL, and holds an asset value in excess of 40 million L$. It primarily focuses on designing and constructing urban settings for business and financial interests. It also offers protection to its estate inhabitants through its subsidiary Ng Security.

Catalyst

[http://www.ctly.net Catalyst] is a virtual marketing and branding company, founded to help businesses manage their "Second Life" presence and advertising needs. It provides full-service marketing solutions, including ad booking and campaign management, building, scripting, graphic design as well as product design and content creation. Catalyst is the creator of the AdBoard / AdServer system, a networked advertising system released in 2006 to assist advertisers and publishers in advertising] & Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and The Chronicles of Narnia
* Rheinturm Düsseldorf Tower was created in "Second Life" by [http://www.beatenetworks.com Beatenetworks]
* Endemol has created a version of Big Brother in "Second Life".Cite web
url=http://www.endemol.nl/Organisatie/default.aspx?fID=6365&rID=1047
title=Endemol opent filiaal in Second Life
publisher=Endemol
language=NL
date=November 6, 2006
accessdate=2006-12-01|] Cite web
url=http://digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=cm&id=3852
title=Big Brother Heading to Second Life
author=Perry, Simon
publisher= [http://digital-lifestyles.info/ digital-lifestyles.info]
language=EN
date=November 7, 2006
accessdate=2006-12-01|]
* Enel launched its own island in Second life in July 2007, [http://slurl.com/secondlife/EnelPark4/234/20/29 Enel Park] , with power plants projects under construction in real life, moto and racing circuit, movie theater, contest and engaging games, commercial area and offices. Enel Park can show how will be the future of energy and the prospective of a real sustainable development. On the Hydrogen Park, thanks to Enel sponsor of Ducati Bike, all users can drive a moto with the real sound of its engine.
* Eudoxa became the first public policy think tank to [http://uvvy.com/index.php/Eudoxa031106 host a seminar in Second Life]
* Faber Maunsell is an Engineering consultancy firm that is currently developing a space within "Second Life" to be able to display the buildings that they design. Faber Maunsell is also looking to use "Second Life" as a marketing tool. [http://www.fabermaunsell.com/]
* Forward Together, the PAC headed by former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, is integrating "Second Life" into its campaign strategy .citeweb
url=http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2006/08/the_second_life.html
title=The Second Life of Governor Mark Warner
author=Au, Wagner James
publisher=New World Notes
date=August 31,2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
]

G-L

* [http://eng.gabettigroup.com Gabetti Property Solutions] created the [http://secondlife.gabettigroup.com Gabetti Island] containing the company Headquarters and a perfect replica of one of the houses they sell in Real Life (RL): the aim of the presence is communicate the brand in foreign markets and develop a virtual business strategy by buying, selling and intermediating digital real estate properties. [cite web |url=http://www.gabettigroup.com/eng/secondlife/index.html |title=Gabetti enters Second Life |accessdate=2007-03-08]
* [http://www.graphico.co.uk?ref=wikipedia Graphico] are a creative digital design and development agency that works with clients at strategic levels for their direct digital marketing needs with solutions that leverage web, mobile and Second Life technologies. [cite web |url=http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,2099252,00.asp|title=Baseline Magazine: Second Life: Is Business Ready For Virtual Worlds? |accessdate=2007-03-01] [cite web |url=http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1397,2098913,00.asp|title=Baseline Magazine: Second Life Insiders |accessdate=2007-03-01]
* [http://www.htfr.com Hard To Find] has launched the worlds first DJ Equipment megastore [http://www.htfr.com/latest-news/secondlife HTFR] within Second Life. A virtual representation of its real world store, it contains a wide range of vinyl, DJ equipment and accessories for users of Second Life to not only look at but to also purchase. The aim is to not only bring HTFR to a wider world wide audience, who may not be able to visit their real world store in Birmingham, UK. But to also give like minded DJs a haven to meet up and chat in. [cite web |url=http://www.htfr.com/latest-news/secondlife |title=HTFR launches new store in Second Life |accessdate=2007-09-05]
* Harvard Law School and Harvard Extension School offered a course called "CyberOne: Law in the Court of Public Opinion" within "Second Life" in 2006. [cite web |url=http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/cyberone/ |title=CyberOne: Law in the Court of Public Opinion |accessdate=2007-01-25] [cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/11/13/second.life.university/index.html |title=Educators explore 'Second Life' online - CNN.com |accessdate=2007-01-25]
* IBM recently met in "Second Life" to discuss the effects of Massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) on business.citeweb
url=http://www.regdeveloper.co.uk/2006/09/21/ibm_secret/
title=IBM's 'secret island'
author=Banks, Martin
publisher=The Register
date=September 21, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] The initial forays into SL were driven by a group in the UK called Eightbar. A team of IBMers led by epredator potato (Ian Hughes) and algernon spackler (Andrew Reynolds) working out of IBM Hursley near Winchester. Recently other IBM companies joined SL, as for instance IBM Italia, founded by avatar Eadoin Welles.
* ING Group has established a virtual community with a presence in Second Life, called [http://www.ourvirtualholland.nl ourvirtualholland] .
* Leo Burnett Worldwide has established a creative hub in "Second Life" for globally dispersed staff to interact within.citeweb
url=http://www.brandrepublic.com/bulletins/br/article/595241/leo-burnett-opens-virtual-agency-second-life/
title=Leo Burnett opens virtual agency in Second Life
author=Bussey, Noel
date=September 28, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
]
* Lichtenstein Creative Media has set up a 16-acre virtual broadcasting facility in "Second Life", from which it has delivered live radio broadcasts. [cite web |url=http://www.lcmedia.com/secondlife/ |title=LCMedia and Second Life: The New Public Media |accessdate=2007-01-25]
* [http://www.ltsvideo.com LTS Productions] established a virtual machinima production presence in Second Life in 2006, called [http://www.silverandgoldie.com Machinima by Silver and Goldie] .
* Institute of Rural Health: Rameshsharma Ramloll, faculty at the Institute of Rural Health at Idaho State University has led the implementation of [http://www.play2train.org *play2train*] , a 32 acre virtual environment for emergency preparedness training in "Second Life". This project is funded by (Health Resources and Services Administration) HRSA [cite web |url=http://www.play2train.org/ |title=Play2Train: Emergency Preparedness Training|accessdate=2007-01-25]

M-R

* [http://sl.markettruths.com/ Market Truths Limited] provides quantitative and qualitative market research services to both organizations in "Second Life" and organizations interested in "Second Life". Research methods include surveys, focus groups, interviews, and observational and experimental research.cite web
url=http://www.research-live.com/index.aspx?pageid=30&newsid=2543
title=Research Agency opens for business in Second Life
author=Tarran, Brian
publisher=Research Magazine
date=November 22, 2006
accessdate=2007-02-07|] Market Truths won the SL Business Plan competition run by The Electric Sheep Company and Edelman.cite web
url=http://freshtakes.typepad.com/sl_communicators/2007/02/market_truths_w.html
title=Market Truths Wins Second Life Business Plan Competition
author=Zimmer, Linda (aka ZNetLady Isbell)
publisher=Business Communicators of Second Life
date=February 20, 2007
accessdate=2007-03-01|]
* [http://www.maxmarch.com/ Max March Industries] operates a popular radio station called MaxMarchRadio that plays inside the virtual world, develops high-end virtual estates and high-rise residences, and operates several businesses that operate inside "Second Life" such as STYLEMAKERS (avatar makeovers including skin, hair, and clothing) and The GIFT, a wildly-successful creator of virtual gift boxes and shopping bags that can package objects purchased elsewhere inside "Second Life" so they can be given to other users as gifts. Another site is maintained with blogs and news from Max March Industries, that is [http://www.maxupdates.com Max Updates] cite web
url=http://www.maxmarch.com/
title=Meet Max
author=Maximilian March
publisher=Max March Industries
date=January 30, 2007
accessdate=2007-02-18|] cite web
url=http://www.maxupdates.com/
title=Max Updates
author=Maximilian March
publisher=Max March Industries
date=March 18, 2007
accessdate=2007-02-18|]
* Mazda is giving away their concept car Hakaze on "Nagare Island" and is presenting kite surfing.Fact|date=February 2007
* MLB.com broadcast the Home Run Derby and a Red Sox-Yankees game into "SL", with the help of the Electric Sheep Company.
* MTV held a fashion show which was later broadcasted on G-Hole, a show on MTV's IPTV channel, Overdrive.cite web
url=http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2006/01/and_your_chicks.html
title=And Your Chicks For Free
author=Au, Wagner James
publisher=New World Notes
date=January 9, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25|]
* National Physical Laboratory, UK (NPL) developed a virtual hospital for and under medical direction from Imperial College London (ICL) and a series of documentary films (machinima) that describe what healthcare of the future could look like from the patient's perspective. The design of the virtual hospital campus, [http://www.secondhealth.org.uk/ Second Health] ,is based on the principles and recommendations outlined in the recently published [http://www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk/framework_for_action.asp "Healthcare for London: A Framework for Action"] . NPL and ICL are conducting research using Second Health to evaluate the effectiveness of this new medium for communicating complex healthcare delivery messages.
* The New Media Consortium, led by CEO Dr. Laurence F. Johnson, built a virtual campus in the spring of 2006 that includes a library, museum, planetarium, auditorium, classrooms, and a welcome center. In the fall of 2006, the community affilitated with the campus had grown to nearly 1000 educators, and the NMC Campus expanded from 1 sim to 7. Plans included a machinma school and a life sciences center. The NMC has hosted several events on the virtual campus including IBM's Global Innovation jam,cite web
url=http://www.nmc.org/sl/2006/09/28/jam/
title=Yes, Big Blue Was Jamming At NMC Campus
author=Levine, Alan
publisher=New Media Consortium
date=September 28, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25|] a Howard Rheingold keynote speech,cite web
url=http://www.nmc.org/sl/2006/10/21/rheingold/
title=Howard Rheingold Keynote
author=Levine, Alan
publisher=New Media Consortium
date=October 21, 2006|] and an "Second Life" artists eventcite web
url=http://www.nmc.org/sl/2006/08/13/on-the-green/
title=Artists on the Green in Pictures and Audio
author=Levine, Alan
publisher=New Media Consortium
date=August 13, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25|]
* Omnitel, the leading mobile communications company in Lithuania, has created a Lithuania-shaped island. The island offers oak-planting game, documentary “Flight over Lithuania”, other activities and events. On March 19th, 2008 the first Lithuanian concert in “Second Life“ was organized – famous Lithuanian rock-star Andrius Mamontovas presented his new album to “Second Life” community. The island has become the meeting place for Lithuanians participating in “Second Life”.
*PA Consulting Group have established a presence in "Second Life".cite web
url=http://www.paconsulting.com/news/press_release/2006/Second+Life+launch.htm
title=PA joins leading retail and higher education brands in new communications medium
author=Nehmzow, Claus
publisher=PA Consulting Group
accessdate=2006-11-26|] The firm uses "Second Life" to host virtual conferences, recruitment events and as a tool for its clients to simulate new product and service offerings.
*Reef Ball Foundation has a site in "Second Life", trying to create more online awareness for their ecological preservation activities.Verify source|date=July 2007
* Reperes market research institute, launches Reperes "Second Life", virtual platform of watch and research thanks to the creation of a community: a panel of avatars which may be called upon to address issues faced by brands seeking to establish themselves or develop their offer on "Second Life".cite web
url=http://reperes-secondlife.com/
title=Reperes the 1st Market research Insitute on Second Life
author=labidoire (aka Reperes Link)
publisher=Reperes
accessdate=2006-12-01|]
* Reuters has a news bureau which reports news in the virtual universe.citeweb
url=http://blogs.electricsheepcompany.com/chris/?p=150
title=Reuters Bureau Open for Business
author=Carella, Chris (aka Satchmo Prototype)
publisher=Electric Sheep Company
date=October 16, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] cite web
url=http://secondlife.reuters.com/
title=Reuters Second Life News Center
author=Pasick, Adam (aka Adam Reuters)
publisher=Reuters
accessdate=2006-11-25|]

S-Z

* [http://www.simpsonmillar.co.uk/ Simpson Millar LLP] is a real life UK based national firm of solicitors. Simpson Millar LLP opened an office in "Second Life" during 2007 to help the firm better understand the use and practical application of 3D worlds, the legal implications of such worlds and to explore the opportunities to host training, presentations and other events in a 3D virtual world. The "Second Life" facilities of Simpson Millar LLP are available to other businesses wishing to experiment with internet technology such as "Second Life".Fact|date=October 2007
* Sky News has a virtual newsroom, where vistiors can visit the newsroom and see how Sky News is made, reporters and presenters also can be seen from time to time. Also all visitors can take home a TV to watch Sky News.
* [http://www.sl-hosting.nl/ SL-hosting] is a Dutch company that helps other RL companies present themselves in Second Life.
* Slacker Astronomy planetarium in the Carmine region displays audio and video shows about astronomical topics and hosts chats with professional astronomers.
* SL Police is a law Enforcement type group that has a partnership with Linden Labs to protect the MMORPG from trolls and griefers.
* Social Media is a consulting company founded by Gunnar Langemark (Second Life: Gunnar Langset) and is physically located in Denmark. [http://www.socialmedia.dk Social Media] is in Second Life to do research and to consult with clients who want to know about virtual realities like Second Life. Gunnar Langemark has 20 years experience with next generation computer media. You can find Social Media in Second Life by doing a search for "Social Media".
* [http://www.starlife.it Starlife Srl] is a consulting company which provides a full- service of development in virtual world. The company also opened its own bases on Starlife Island in Second Life where it has organized and promoted big event Like Festa del Cinema, Forum PA award and Rome fiction festival. Starlife has realized Enel Park island for Enel SpA.
* Starwood Hotels in conjunction with [http://www.electricsheepcompany.com/ The Electric Sheep Company] and marketing firm [http://www.electricartists.com/ Electric Artists] is premiering their new hotel brand, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/index.html/ aloft] , in "Second Life" via a virtual construction of the hotel before the actual hotels are built. The building process was documented on [http://www.virtualaloft.com/ virtualaloft.com] . More information about Aloft and Second Life on [http://blog.relactions.com/2007/07/starwood-aloft-leaves-second-life.html "Starwood Aloft leaves Second Life"] .
* Sun Microsystems
** Sun held a metaverse press conference at the launch of their "Second Life" region [http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sun%20Pavilion/128/128/ Sun Pavilion] in October 2006.Fact|date=February 2007
** Sun participated in a press briefing at the CNET headquarters in "Second Life" in October 2006.Fact|date=February 2007
* [http://www.telecomitalia.com Telecom Italia] launched four islands in "Second Life" in July 2007, offering a football stadium, Formula 1 circuit, drive-in movie theater, beach party area and various offices. Telecom Italia also developed the "First Life Communicator", a device allowing avatars to call and send SMS to other avatars and Italian telephone numbers (in limited beta period). [cite web |url=http://www.supercom.it/web/001818/00181877.html|title=Anche Telecom Italia sbarca su Second Life|accessdate=2007-07-17]
* [http://www.telusmobility.com/ Telus Mobility] (Telus) opened a "Second Life" retail outlet offering replica mobile phones with "Second Life" specific features. In the near future the store may be offering its real lineup of mobile phones with a twist, to Canadian avatars.Fact|date=February 2007
* [http://www.text100.com/ Text 100] , a leading global technology PR firm opened its virtual office in "Second Life" in August 2006.Verify source|date=July 2007
* Toyota (via [http://www.millionsofus.com/ Millions of Us] ) have offered a virtual replica of the Scion xB
* [http://www.slunionisland Union Island] is a shared international community for trade unions with its own island sim as a base for events. The project was initiated in 2008 by Trades Union Congress, Union Network International and the New Unionism Network, with support from organisations including ver.di, UNISON and RSU IBM Vimercate.
* Universal Motown Records Group created a presence within "Second Life".citeweb
url=http://www.3pointd.com/20060614/universal-artists-hit-second-life-june-2526/
title=Universal Artists Hit Second Life June 25/26
author=Wallace, Mark
publisher=3pointD.com
date=June 14, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] citeweb
url=http://www.prohiphop.com/2006/08/marketing_music.html
title=Marketing Music In Second Life: SoundScape, Chamillionaire, Talib Kweli
publisher=ProHipHop
date=August 15, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] The Universal SoundScape Music venue was created by [http://www.inworldstudios.com/ InWorld Studios] to promote the rock band Hinder and the hip-hop sensation Chamillionaire.
* The University of Southern California's Center on Public Diplomacy owns its own "Second Life" island. The island is used by the Center's [http://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/index.php/projects/mmog Public Diplomacy and Virtual Worlds Project] to host events and displays on the role of MMOGs, in public diplomacy.citeweb
url=http://www.metaversemessenger.com/pdf/2006/05/MM-2006-05-02.pdf
title=Metaverse Messenger: Tuesday, May 2, 2006
publisher=Metaverse Messenger
date=May 2, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] citeweb
url=http://www.metaversemessenger.com/pdf/2006/09/MM-2006-09-26.pdf
title=Metaverse Messenger: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
publisher=Metaverse Messenger
date=September 26, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
]
* Wells Fargo has created a game called "Stagecoach Island" within "Second Life", in which young players earn virtual money by answering financial questions, thereby teaching them the basics of managing their money. [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4248074.stm|title=Money matters in cybercash game|accessdate=2007-01-21] Shortly after opening Wells Fargo closed down the site and re-opened Stagecoach Island in There.com.
* The World Transhumanist Association has used "Second Life" to recruit and organise a transhumanist following within the virtual world and established a large island and conference centre called "Uvvy Island" to disseminate transhumanist ideas and provide unrestricted access to useful materials (including, among other things, videos and webcasts from WTA) to interested but geographically unrelated parties. Uvvy Island is organised like a regional Chapter, and even holds Chapter status within the WTA, holding weekly meetings, talks, and debates on various subjects.citeweb
url=http://www.transhumanism.org/index.php/WTA/more/wtasl200609/
title=WTA Chapter forms in Virtual World Second Life
author=exec director
publisher=World Transhumanist Association
date=September 6, 2006
accessdate=2006-11-25
] citeweb
url=http://www.uvvy.com/
title=Uvvy Island Wiki
publisher=World Transhumanist Association
accessdate=2006-11-25
]
*YearlyKos Convention 2007 - this Net Roots based political organization simulcast their annual convention (at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center) into Second Life. The event included 4 days of LIVE streaming video from the convention including the Democratic Presidential Candidates Round Table forum debate and was a groundbreaking event in Netroots political activism.

References