The job announcement says it all:
"SeeLevel has an exciting new location data project and we are looking for a few select tech-savvy people to join a short-term pilot in the above areas.
For this project, you MUST have an Android Smartphone with a working data plan and camera. You will use the device to perform a 45-second task using a proprietary app while onsite. You will be a part of a select test group of shoppers that will get to utilize a beta app that will open THOUSANDS of opportunities with one of the largest tech companies to you at a later time.
For this assignment, you will be covertly visiting an assigned location and answering a few basic questions while walking around the business browsing as a normal customer. This covert assignment is easy! Pay varies on the number of visits and tasks performed. Each task takes only approximately 1-3 minutes while inside each location."
Anyone who has shopped over the last 3-5 years with this MSC can figure the client. All the clues are in the job announcement. There have also been job announcements about the larger project the last couple of years. This is a pilot to show something that we do not really know, but if you read about American Express' very unique business model regarding customer lists you can easily figure out what the real aim is for this pilot.
As for payment, you really hit the nail on the head, "combined". Also, it is not clear if the amount was made working for the pilot or for the larger project. Is the pay rate the same for both projects? The question is how many hours you have to work in a day to make the daily rate advertised. In the cities they seek shoppers, one can make that amount easily with 2 gas stations, even if it takes a person one hour per gas station, and just a 5 miles drive. You can put brochures in a doctor's office and make the amount in one visit, without having to be out in freezing temperatures for x hours.