Julian, pretty much sums up the issue. 

Google just launched Places which looks like an app designed to sell local mobile ads and little else.    I would use that app if it got me to my Google "My Places".

Anyone from Google reading--you can target me with mobile ads via the Places app if you let me easily (automatically) get to "My Places".  If not, Places gets deleted because it is useless at present--an app to receive local ads?  Why would anyone want that?