Youth nationwide get ultimate access to shop
online – or anywhere else MasterCard cards are accepted – and parents can
take comfort in knowing their teens are spending responsibly with the
MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard. The best part? An incredible 10% of all net
profit goes directly to War Child Canada, an independent charitable
organisation working to assist children affected by war.
It’s a simpler, quicker, more secure way to pay. For starters, it’s
easy
to top up the MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard(R) at any time – online or at an
ATM. So loading a card isn’t a hassle and there’s never safety concerns
associated with carrying cash.
Cardholders can monitor their transactions 24/7 through a secure online
system. Better still, parents and legal guardians can help teens manage
their
finances by being account holders for those aged 13-15. Anyone 16 or
older can
apply on their own. New cardholders get 10 free music downloads from
MuchMusic.com and a 15% discount on all purchases made at the MuchStore (277
Queen St. W., www.muchstore.ca). Apply for a Card right now, exclusively @
www.muchmusic.com.
“Now teens have a direct means to make legitimate purchases
online,” said
Maria Hale, VP, Content Business Development, CHUM Television. “Music,
gadgets, games and more: the MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard(R) gives them the
freedom to shop on their own terms.”
This initiative is delivered in joint partnership with Mint Technology
Corp. and issued by GE Money Canada. Frank Maduri, President & CEO, Mint
Technology Corp. said: “Much and Mint talked to hundreds of teens to get
their
help in designing the MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard(R). We’ve worked to
build a
program that respects young peoples’ ability to make decisions while letting
parents teach budgeting and responsible spending habits in a way that is
actually cool with their teens.”
Dr. Samantha Nutt, Executive Director, War Child Canada said: “We’re
thrilled to be the charity benefiting from this initiative. It’s never been
easier to help make a difference in the lives of kids living with war and
AIDS.”
PREPAID CARD FACTS(*):
– 50.6 million in circulation within the U.S. by 2008
– It’s projected U.S. shoppers will spend $186 billion using prepaid
cards by 2008.
(*)Source: Pelorus Group (2004 study)
About MuchMusic: Recognized by Strategy magazine as the ‘Brand of the
Year’ for 2005, MuchMusic is an integral part of today’s pop culture
landscape
– delivering fans an unparalleled music television experience since
August 31,
1984. Direct from our critically acclaimed street-level studios in downtown
Toronto, each and every program day not only hits the best in top music
video,
but creates a destination where fans can stay connected to “The Nation’s
Music
Station.” www.muchmusic.com
About War Child Canada: Founded in 1999, War Child Canada is a
registered
charity that provides humanitarian assistance to children affected by
war and
generates awareness, support and action for children’s rights everywhere.
www.warchild.ca
About Mint Technology Corp.: Mint is a leading payment solutions
company.
Through its payment platform and prepaid card programs , Mint is the
first in
Canada to facilitate and deploy prepaid credit cards – again with unique
features such as co-branding and loyalty programs, and new wireless payment
alternatives such as; contactless functionality. The company is
headquartered
in Toronto, Ontario. www.mintinc.com
About MasterCard Worldwide: MasterCard Worldwide advances global
commerce
by providing a critical economic link between financial institutions,
businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor
and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes
approximately 14 billion payments each year, and provides industry-leading
analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and
merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard(r), Maestro(r)
and Cirrus(r), MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more
than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to
www.mastercardworldwide.com.
About GE Money: – The MuchMusic Prepaid MasterCard issued by GE Money
Bank. With more than $163 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General
Electric Company, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers,
retailers and auto dealers in 50 countries around the world. Based in
Mississauga, Ontario, GE Money – Canada provides private label credit
card and
MasterCard card programs to consumers, and lending options for retailers in
key industries across the country. GE Money also is a provider of
alternative
residential mortgages. More information can be found at www.gemoney.ca.
GE is Imagination at Work a diversified technology, media and financial
services company focused on solving some of the world’s toughest problems.
With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation,
water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and
consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves
customers
in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people
worldwide. For
more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ge.com.
In Canada, GE has more than 10,000 employees, 19 major manufacturing
plants and more than 150 sales and service locations across the country.
