Affinion goes Brazilian
Stamford-based Affinion Group has continued its international expansion by entering the Brazilian market.
The designer of consumer engagement and loyalty services said it identified Brazil as an area of major growth. Brazil supports one of only three economies in the world, along with the United States and China, generating more than $1.5 trillion in annual GDP across a population of more than 100 million consumers.
Rick Fernandes, president of Affinion and CEO of Affinion International, said in the Brazilian market the company will focus on consumer savings, privacy, protection and loyalty services. Affinion is now in 17 countries.
Michael Fahey, formerly senior vice president of Affinion International, has been named chief operating officer and chief administrative officer of Affinion International Brazil. Jonathan Seem, currently country head of Affinion International Spain, will serve as interim country head for Brazil. Fahey will be based out of the company”™s newly opened offices in Sao Paulo.
Joint gas venture
Greenwich-based First Reserve Corp. has agreed to provide an equity commitment of $100 million from its energy infrastructure fund to a joint venture with Denver-based Energy Corporation of America.
First Reserve, a private investment firm in the energy industry, will own a 50 percent interest in two new gathering systems in Pennsylvania”™s Greene and Clearfield counties.
The new systems will service the Marcellus Shale outcrop, a high demand, natural gas-rich area in the Appalachian Basin. Energy Corporation of America is one of the oldest operators in the Appalachian Basin and owns “significant acreage.”
The joint venture will operate under long-term contracts with a fixed structure at the drilling site.
Mark Florian, managing director at First Reserve, said in addition to the initial investment, the joint venture intends to explore the opportunity to develop new or expand existing gathering systems in the region to accelerate the production of additional hydrocarbons.
Vintage video games
Retro Games Plus has opened its doors on Post Road in Westport and positioned itself to consumers interested in the nostalgic video game market.
The business grew out of owner Kris Krohn”™s online business, Retro Games Plus, which he started in 2008.
Krohn, a collector himself said the shop will stock more than 4,000 titles and consoles including Nintendo, Atari, Sega Genesis and Dream Cast and will buy, sell and trade video games old and new.
USM gets contract
Norwalk-based Emcor Group”™s subsidiary, USM Services, has begun a three-year contract to provide integrated facilities management at 336 A&P-owned supermarkets in the northeast.
USM will be responsible for comprehensive facilities management for the A&P locations. The company will essentially provide full maintenance service for all the locations including full electrical, fire protection, plumbing, landscaping, snow removal and parking lots.
Time to learn
E.nopi, a South Korean-based company that provides supplemental education and tutoring for children has opened in Westport.
Allan Hong, owner of the Westport franchise, said the location on Church Lane has started to provide individually focused services to children ages 3 to 16 once each week. Hong said the tutoring is customized to the individual child within a structured curriculum.
Food delivery outsourced
GoWaiter.com has opened a new franchise in Westport.
The business partners with restaurants to deliver prepared meals to homes, offices or hotels for a $3.99 delivery charge plus the menu price within an average of 45 to 55 minutes.
The web-based business has a list of more than 50 restaurants in Stamford, Westport, Norwalk, Darien, and Fairfield partnering with the service. Co-owner Mark Lutz, said the participating restaurants are listed on the GoWaiter.com website.
