DIDIX + Blackhawk
Netherland-based DIDIX, a prepaid card specialist, has been
acquired by the Blackhawk Network. DIDIX products are sold to millions of consumers each year directly through retail, online and business-to-business (B2B) channels.
Other Breaking News
In today’s CardFlash News Que: KOFAX (Blackhawk); SAFECHARGE (Tain); Q2 (Acculynk); and
Amalto Technologies (ServiceMax).
Blackhawk RAN Patent
Prepaid card specialist Blackhawk Network has been issued a patent that covers the DirectSpend RAN program and equivalent methods of filtering transactions. Blackhawk also owns a variety of patents that apply to e-wallet technology, swipe reload technology, card network processing, digital gift card delivery, gift card exchange, and card security technology.
Blackhawk Engagement
Prepaid card king Blackhawk Network launched a new division dedicated to providing customized engagement, incentive and rebate programs for consumers, employees and sales channels.
Cardpool & LevelUp
Blackhawk’s gift card exchange network has signed LevelUp as a new client. For Cardpool the agreement provides a new channel for acquiring unused gift cards.
Blackhawk + Parago
Prepaid card specialist, Blackhawk Network, has inked a deal to acquire Parago for about $290 million. Parago is a provider of end-to-end engagement management programs for consumers, sales channels and employees has more than 250 customers, including Fortune 100 companies, multi-national corporations and global consumer brands.
Blackhawk + CardLab
CA-based Blackhawk Nation has closed on its transaction to acquire TX-based CardLab. CardLab.com is among the largest online stores focused solely on prepaid incentive cards. CardLab currently supports over 9,000 corporate clients.
Blackhawk & Google Wallet
Google Wallet adds prepaid card functionality by teaming with Blackhawk. Google Wallet users will be able to take a picture of their prepaid cards using their phone’s camera.
Enhanced Visa Simon Giftcard
Simon® announced today it will team up with prepaid and payments provider Blackhawk Network to offer an enhanced Visa Simon Giftcard® at select Simon malls, Premium Outlets® and Mills, and online at simongiftcard.com. The Simon Giftcard will also be made available outside Simon centers through Blackhawk’s participating network of grocery stores and other third-party locations.
Monitise Partners Blackhawk on mGift Cards
Blackhawk Network and Monitise mMoney solutions announced an agreement to make mobile gift card purchasing available to consumers through certain banks and financial institutions in the United States. Prepaid gift cards from Blackhawk Network’s popular GiftCardMall™ will be available to consumers for purchase from participating banks and payment companies’ mobile wallets, powered by Monitise. With this new relationship, Blackhawk’s extensive network will integrate into Monitise’s mobile banking ecosystem, making it easier for consumers to purchase Blackhawk gift cards from popular retail brands via mobile. The new partnership provides customers with access to gift cards on the go, making these purchases convenient, building loyalty with their preferred financial institutions, and opening the door to more innovative mobile offerings.
Discover and NHL Agree to Extend Partnership
Discover Financial Services and the National Hockey League (NHL) renewed their multi-year sponsorship agreement. With it, Discover is an Official Partner of the NHL in the U.S. and will become title sponsor of the inaugural NHL on NBC broadcast on Thanksgiving Friday, now titled the 2011 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown. Discover and the NHL will introduce a co-branded float titled “Frozen Fall Fun,” which will make its first-ever appearance in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. As part of the partnership, cardmembers will also enjoy opportunities to redeem points for NHL rewards, such as merchandise and tickets.
Blackhawk & eBay Roll Out Prepaid Cards
Blackhawk Network prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses has partnered with eBay to offer premium prepaid cards. Blackhawk Network’s “Gift Card Mall on eBay” will include a variety of branded prepaid cards in dining, entertainment, fashion and home improvement categories; including the eBay gift card, which consumers can use to shop eBay’s expansive selection ranging from tech to fashion. Customers will receive free standard shipping on purchases made from November 24 through December 15, 2010. Blackhawk Network is a subsidiary of Safeway prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses while its “Gift Card Mall” offers popular prepaid gift card and telecom products to more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery, big box, convenience, drug, and specialty stores.