Boston.com to New England: 'Let's Plow'; The Barbarian Group Creates Holiday Game for New England's Favorite Web Site.

BOSTON -- Boston.com, one of the most-visited portals in the U.S., today launched Boston.com's Snowplow Game, an exclusive and catchy online feature that is literally sweeping the city. The game was created by The Barbarian Group LLC, who also developed the popular viral Web feature Subservient Chicken.

With this game, New Englanders will have a reason to rejoice at the sight of snow. Players steer a snowplow through Boston after a blizzard, whizzing by popular city landmarks such as Fenway Park, the Citgo sign, and the John Hancock tower, in a quest to clear the streets and accumulate points, peppermints and snowflakes before time runs out. The top ten scorers will be ranked publicly on Boston.com, allowing players to compete for top honors. Competition is further fueled with "e-mail-a-friend" functionality.

"We have been thrilled to work with The Barbarian Group to create our inaugural online game," said Stephanie Shore, director of marketing, Boston.com. "Now local residents will have something to do at home while they're hiding from the snow."

Barbarian Group co-founder Rick Webb said, "As a Boston-based agency, we were proud to produce this game for Boston.com. And as gamers, we just hope others don't become as addicted as we are."

Boston.com's Snowplow Game is part of the Web site's Get Wrapped campaign, a local awareness and affinity-building promotion that will continue through the end of the year. Get Wrapped incorporates both traditional and non-traditional media elements, including:

--A print campaign that doubles as holiday gift wrap for last-minute shoppers

--"Gift Wrapped" trains that spread the campaign message to area commuters

--Mobile billboards with 3-D bows that circle crowded shopping destinations

--Promotional taxi tops that will appear around the city

--Scratch n' sniff peppermint postcards in more than 100 local bars and restaurants

--A geo-targeted online ad campaign on popular Web sites

--Street teams dressed as presents that will distribute Boston.com gift wrap

--Boston.com gift wrap delivered to Globe subscribers in a special poly bag

Boston.com's Snowplow Game will live on the site until all the snow melts.

So, without further adieu, plow into the Winter season: www.boston.com/getwrapped

About Boston.com

Boston.com is one of the most visited regional portals in the United States and is part of New York Times Digital, the digital business unit of The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT). The mission of NYTD, which also comprises market leader NYTimes.com and an archive distribution business, is to provide a high-quality, worldwide online audience with trusted editorial content from The New York Times and The Boston Globe.

About The Barbarian Group

The Barbarian Group, LLC is a privately held veteran team of award-winning interactive designers and developers focused on innovative, uncompromised solutions for global brands. The Boston-based design firm's clients include Volkswagen, Discover Card and Burger King.

(www.barbariangroup.com)

This press release may be found at www.nytdigital.com