Leading business enterprises join collaborative business incubator in the virtual world.

06/21/2009 - Orlando, FL - When two Florida entrepreneurs, Tony Coolidge and Howard Odor, first visited the virtual grid known as Second Life™ they didn't realize the potential it would provide as a social networking tool for business. After exploring the large social networks geared for entertainment, they found an undeveloped market for business. There were many applications and locations developed for virtual tourism, game play, and special interests. The business applications were scarce, and they realized that the value was not yet there for business to invest in virtual business solutions in the Second Life™ grid.

"Howard and I saw the strengths of the virtual platform were its social nature and its ability to connect people globally for interactive and immersive virtual meetings," said president and co-founder Tony Coolidge.

In April 2007, they invested in a full sim in Second Life™, a server hosting a 3-D virtual island they named Vio. Co-founder Howard Odor explains, "We liked Virtual Innovative Opportunities, but we wanted a name that was short and easy to remember. Vio was born and became our brand."

They equipped the virtual business development with office buildings surrounding a large community center, equipped with a large auditorium, an expo center, and conference rooms. They offered renters an opportunity to join a collaborative business network. Logged on as his avatar, Tony Coolidge spent countless hours developing relationships with network members to find ways for people to collaborate and share resources. The efforts paid off, as word of mouth spread in the business community.

When events and seminars were introduced to Vio Auditorium, the growth of the network accelerated. Vio has hosted dozens of official events, hosting noted experts in virtual business. Vio residents have also hosted numerous meetings and events of heir own. The collaborative business environment has attracted companies of all sizes, including Fedex, Oracle, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Schneider Electric and many more industry leaders.

"What excites us the most at Vio is to see in-world members of our network serve the needs of the out-world companies to make their experiences in the virtual world positive and productive," says Tony Coolidge. "The more social networking tools we give them, the eaier it is for them to connect and collaborate."

Vio has ambitious plans for the future, which includes developing more out-world interest in virtual world solutions. It is planning a "Green Business" virtual expo involving several in-world organizations working together to show out-world companies how to take advantage of virtual business solutions. Vio is also discussing plans to mobilize businesses to form an informal Business Continent within the Second Life Grid.

Vio is a subsidiary of Proactive Media, Inc. Proactive Media has been a leader in web marketing and social networking since 1995.

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