CYBERSPACE – Representatives for PureCash have announced that the program will be closing its doors and all affiliates will need to remove links to PureCash sites by midnight on March 14th.PureCash was operated as a joint effort between HiRise and Web Entertainment Group (WEG). According to a statement issued by WEG, the decision to close PureCash came after HiRise decided to back away from the arrangement.

“We respect [HiRise’s] decision and wish them the best of luck with their future endeavors,” said WEG through a company statement. “Due to these circumstances we feel it is best to close the PureCash program. As most of you are aware, we operate the WEGCash.com and G3X.com affiliate programs. We look forward to focusing 100% of our efforts on these 2 programs and building upon the success we achieved during 2004.”

According to WEG spokesperson Cory Wayne, closing PureCash was a decision reached based on the need to focus company attention in one area.

“A decision was reached to close the program due to our resources already being devoted to two varying and dynamic programs,” Wayne told YNOT. “The program’s profitability was never in question, nor was its quality. It was just a matter of pragmatism on our part. Affiliate programs require a tremendous amount of involved resources, such as webmaster support, programming, design, and fraud, to name a few.”

Wayne told YNOT that the company considered selling PureCash and integrating PureCash sites into the WEGCash program, but ultimately decided that both options were unappealing for a variety of reasons.

“With both options off the table, the logical subsequent move was to shut the program down,” said Wayne. “In doing so, we ensured that webmaster traffic, something we consider the single most vital aspect of our online ventures, would not be compromised. That said, we have given webmasters notice to change the links; if that notice is not enough, I will personally change the links to direct to a link of their choice for an extended time period. We have insured that everyone will get paid. I of course do hope that everyone decides to use our programs, but that is the webmaster’s option to do so.”

Wayne added that his business partner, Mike AI from HiRise, wanted to pursue mainstream business opportunities.

“Michael (Mike AI / HiRise) wanted to leave and pursue his mainstream businesses, something I think many of us strive for,” Wayne said. “Michael and his team were the founding members of PureCash and fueled its success on the levels of long-term experience. Without his future obligations to the program, and our already strident march into the world of Video on Demand, a logical business decision was reached that satisfied all parties. It goes without saying that Michael remains a friend and business contact with WEGCash.”