Charities Get Funding Boost From American Express

NZ Charities To Get Funding Boost From American Express

Auckland, February 27, 2001 --- American Express has launched a new range of products in New Zealand that will help charitable groups promote and raise funds for their causes here.

The flagship products for the new programme will be co-branded credit cards with WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature) and Save The Children New Zealand. The cards are part of an American Express affinity card programme that creates tailored, relevant, financial products for members of a variety of special interest groups in New Zealand.

A key feature of American Express affinity cards is that they generate a return for the affinity partner, to reinvest in their own growth and / or key projects.

The new fundraising initiative will provide Save the Children with the opportunity to extend its global projects, benefiting children in need around the world. WWF-New Zealand will ue funds raised from the card to conserve the habitats of New Zealand’s plant and animal species and support WWF’s Southern Oceans conversation work.

The affinity strategy forms a key part of American Express’ aggressive growth and distribution strategy in New Zealand, which has recently seen the development of a number of new partnerships and products, including the Blue Credit Card and the nzski.com Credit Card.

Anna Hynes, Country Manager for American Express in New Zealand, said the new Card programme reinforced the company’s commitment to forming strong, long-term relationships with relevant partners.
“We are committed to developing products that consumers want. One way of doing that is to work with partners who represent a group of people, and to come up with products that are financially compelling, but also specifically relevant to consumer lifestyle and affiliations,” Ms Hynes said.

“This in turn allows the organisations we partner with to give more to their members and affiliates. The result is a win for all – a win for consumers, a win for our partners, and also ultimately, a win for American Express,” she said.

For consumers, there is the benefit of a card that offers arguably the best financial proposition in the marketplace, featuring low interest rates, highly attractive rewards and unique worldwide service.

American Express Company is a diversified worldwide travel, financial and network services company. Founded in 1850, it is a leader in charge and credit cards, Travellers Cheques, travel, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

For more information about American Express, visit the worldwide web site at http://www.americanexpress.com

For further information:

Mark Reynolds Anna Thomson Liz Gibbs
Public Affairs Consultant Communications Manager Marketing Manager
American Express Public Affairs WWF Save the Children
09 3674370 04 4992930 04 3856847
025 2073303 025 777699 021 1141327

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AMERICAN EXPRESS AND WWF LAUNCH CREDIT CARD

Tuesday, February 27 - WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and American Express International today announced the launch of the WWF American Express Credit Card in New Zealand.

Paul Bowe, Chairman of WWF-New Zealand, said “We have selected American Express as an ideal partner to take WWF forward, in providing services to our members and helping to raise revenue for WWF’s vital conservation activities.

“Cardmembers can take delight in the knowledge that every time they use their WWF American Express Credit Card, a percentage of their spend will go to WWF In New Zealand.

WWF-New Zealand will use funds raised from the card to conserve the habitats of New Zealand’s plant and animal species and support WWF’s Southern Oceans including saving the ocean from overfishing, and to protect conservation work on the albatross. Money raised will also be used to educate young people on how they can live a life in balance with the natural environment.

“As New Zealanders, we are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful, biologically diverse and unique countries in the world. The money raised through this card will help us conserve our precious environment – for ourselves and future generations,” Mr Bowe said.

The WWF American Express Credit Card features an eye-catching image of the Giant Panda, symbolic of threatened species around the world.

As an introductory offer for those signing up for the WWF American Express Credit Card, American Express is waiving the $35 annual fee for the first year. In addition, every Cardmember will be able to transfer balances from other credit cards at an introductory interest rate of 9.99% for the first six months. The Card offers a competitive competitive interest rate of 16.99% with up to 55 interest-free days.

Cardmembers will also benefit from American Express’ Moneyback programme, whereby up to 1% of spending on the Credit Card is returned to Cardmembers by way of an annual rebate.

Anna Hynes, Country Manager for American Express in New Zealand said WWF and American Express look forward to seeing an increase in funds raised for WWF as a result of the Card programme.

“WWF American Express Cardmembers will receive the full range of unique worldwide services and benefits that American Express offers.”

American Express Company was founded in 1850 and today is a world leader in travel and financial services including charge and credit cards, Traveller’s Cheques, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

WWF is the world’s leading conservation organisation, whose aim is to preserve the planet’s species and spaces by promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.

For further information regarding the WWF American Express Credit Card, please call American Express on 0800 263 925.

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Media inquiries:

Mark Reynolds, American Express 09 3674370 or 025 2073303

Anna Thomson, WWF New Zealand 04 4992930 or 021 777699

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AMERICAN EXPRESS AND SAVE THE CHILDREN LAUNCH CREDIT CARD

Tuesday, February 27 – Save the Children New Zealand and American Express International (NZ) Inc. today announced the launch of the Save the Children American Express Credit Card in New Zealand.

According to Martyn Turner, President of Save the Children New Zealand, “The programme with American Express will help promote our activities in New Zealand and raise our profile so that we can help children around the globe.”

“There will be real financial benefits in the relationship for Save the Children. Everytime a Cardmember uses their Save the Children Fund American Express Card they can take delight in knowing that they are helping to fund the many programmes we support,” Mr Turner said.

Save the Children New Zealand will use funds raised from the card to work for the right of children everywhere to be happy, healthy and secure. The funds will go directly to help the world’s vulnerable children, including work in the Asia Pacific Region.

Save the Children New Zealand projects in Asia Pacific include work in Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Cambodia and Vietnam. The organisation also provides emergency relief work. The group’s New Zealand work includes assisting Women’s Refuge to break the cycle of child abuse.

“Our relationship with American Express is a great way for New Zealanders to contribute to Save the Children Fund as part of their everyday spending. By simply using their Credit Card our Cardmembers will be able to make a real difference in the community,” Mr Turner said.

As an introductory offer for those signing up for the Save the Children Fund American Express, American Express is waiving the $35 annual fee for the first year. In addition, every Cardmember will be able to transfer balances from other credit cards at an introductory interest rate of 9.99% for the first six months. The Card offers a competitive competitive interest rate of 16.99% with up to 55 interest free days.

Cardmembers will also benefit from American Express’s Moneyback programme, whereby up to 1% of spending on the Credit Card is returned to Cardmembers by way of an annual rebate.

Anna Hynes, Country Manager for American Express in New Zealand said Save the Children Fund and American Express look forward to seeing an increase in funds raised for Save the Children as a result of the Card programme.

“I would urge people with a desire to help Save the Children New Zealand to take up one of these Cards, and help an organisation that is respected internationally for the good it does,” she said.

Save the Children New Zealand American Express Cardmembers will receive the full range of unique worldwide services and benefits that American Express offers.

American Express Company was founded in 1850 and today is a world leader in travel and financial services including charge and credit cards, Traveller’s Cheques, financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

For further information regarding the Save the Children Fund American Express Credit Card, please call American Express on 0800 263 925.

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Media inquiries:

Mark Reynolds, American Express 09 3674370 or 025 2073303

Lizz Gibbs, Save the Children Fund 04 3856847 or 021 1141327

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