The program features a unique AOL member acquisition initiative tied to the World Cup and Argentina’s National Soccer Team.
Argentine consumers who register for the America Online Argentina service using their MasterCard(R) cards will qualify for special prizes and awards, including personal visits with members of Argentina’s National Soccer Team. The agreement provides for the promotion of America Online Argentina in MasterCard’s member publications and MasterCard will also advertise on the America Online Argentina service.
The MasterCard agreement builds upon AOL Latin America’s growing relationships with top financial institutions and credit card companies throughout the region. AOL Latin America has a successful strategic alliance with Banco Itau of Brazil, with whom it operates a fast-growing, co-branded America Online Brazil service that provides unique online banking features and functionality. In August, AOL Brazil announced a co-branded credit card with Credicard, the largest credit card company in Brazil. AOL Latin America also has developed strong relationships with credit card companies and financial institutions in Mexico such as Banorte.
Charles Herington, President and CEO of AOL Latin America, said: We are very happy to be working with MasterCard, one of the most well-known and respected brands in the region. This marketing program provides yet another important way for us to invite Argentine consumers to join the more than 1 million members throughout Latin America who are enjoying the ease of use and convenience of the AOL interactive experience. It also builds on our efforts to work with the top financial institutions in Latin America to aggressively market our services to consumers interested in embracing the power of the Internet.
Osvaldo Setuain, President and CEO of AOL Argentina, said: Argentine consumers are increasingly making the Internet and America Online Argentina a central part of their everyday lives. This program with MasterCard builds upon not only our members’ love of the interactive experience, but their tremendous enthusiasm for soccer, the World Cup tournament and their national team. We look forward to strong results from this program, and are quite pleased to have this opportunity to work with MasterCard, which has become an increasingly important part of the Argentine financial landscape.
Jean Rozwadowski, President of MasterCard for the Latin America and Caribbean Region, said: MasterCard and AOL Argentina together represent a powerful alliance. We could not have found a better partner to market our credit cards to the fast-growing online audience. AOL has rapidly become the premier online brand in Latin America, and we are looking to leverage that strength in the Argentine marketplace to continue building our own community of cardholders. The ability to combine this effort with our unique World Cup promotion only helps make this offering even more compelling to consumers, and will allow us to reinforce with them MasterCard’s unparalleled reputation for excellence.
SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
