Playerize

Playerize operated as a platform specializing in monetization and high-quality user acquisition for the social and mobile gaming industry. Founded in 2011 by Lyal Avery and Jeff Magnusson, the Vancouver-based startup aimed to connect players with free-to-play mobile and social games through targeted advertising, positioning itself as the "Google AdWords of game advertising". Avery and Magnusson launched the company after participating in the FounderFuel accelerator program in Montreal.

The company's business model focused on helping game developers find relevant consumers by placing display ads on niche websites and blog networks. For instance, a game centered around puppies would be advertised on a puppy-related website to attract engaged users. Playerize provided a real-time dashboard for studios to track their advertising campaigns and even offered to create the ad visuals for developers without in-house creative teams. In 2012, Playerize secured $1 million in a funding round backed by investors including Real Ventures and Rho Ventures to expand its teams and traffic sources.

A significant milestone for Playerize was its 2012 acquisition of SuperRewards, a pioneer in virtual currency and alternative payment solutions for games that was founded in 2007. This acquisition expanded Playerize's global reach and integrated a complete alternative payments solution into its offerings. In November 2015, Playerize, which was doing business as SuperRewards, was acquired by the TSX-traded mobile rewards platform Perk.com. As part of the acquisition, co-founders Jeff Magnusson and Lyal Avery joined the Perk.com team.

Keywords: user acquisition, game monetization, social gaming, mobile gaming, alternative payments, virtual currency, ad platform, game advertising, SuperRewards, free-to-play games, player engagement, in-game monetization, display advertising, gaming industry, virtual rewards