Global Prepaid Exchange appoints award winner as Company Secretary

Robert CourtneidgeRobert Courtneidge has been appointed Company Secretary at Global Prepaid Exchange, the widest reaching prepaid industry organisation in the world with a membership that spans four continents.

Robert will be responsible for corporate governance and support to the Executive Board of Global Prepaid Exchange (Gx). In addition he will act as spokesman of the company and will be responsible for investor relations.

Robert will be joining law firm Locke Lord in February as Global Head of Cards & Payments. He has over 20 years’ experience in the cards and payment systems arena and covers all aspects of consumer finance and the technology behind it, with a vast knowledge of consumer protection, data protection, banking regulation and compliance.

Robert is a leading spokesperson on current issues facing the European Payments’ Industry including the Payment Services Directive, SEPA, Third Money Laundering Directive and the second E-money Directive and regularly speaks worldwide on prepaid cards and its technology. He was named Best Industry Contributor at The Prepaid Awards 2011, recognizing his achievements and commitment to the industry. He founded the Prepaid International Forum in 2007.

Historically Robert has worked closely alongside Gx to assist in the expansion of the prepaid industry globally. Gx is delighted to have Robert join the team at an exciting time for the organization having recently secured their 120th member and having launched domestic operations in France, Canada, India and Southern Africa.

Tony Craddock, CEO of Global Prepaid Exchange, says, ‘Robert is a powerhouse of great thinking. We’re delighted to have him on the team.’

Robert Courtneidge says, ‘This is a natural step in helping the prepaid industry realise its potential. I’ve always admired the energy and passion of the Gx team, and am pleased to be joining in a formal capacity’.

QwikCilver expands its horizons

QwikCilver Solutions has come up with two brand new initiatives: Electronically Managed Employee Benefit Programs & partnering with Global Prepaid Exchange program on ‘Voices of Prepaid India’. This new initiative by QwikCilver marks a new paradigm in Indian Industry – to provide a flexible technological platform for corporates to launch Benefit/Discount programs for their Employees.

Electronically Managed Employee Benefit Programs provide a flexible technological platform for corporates to launch Benefit/Discount programs & Foodcourt Programs for their Employees. Employees are provided with (Bar-Code encoded Physical Card or Mobile based Card) and each card is loaded with Max Cap Privilege limits with clearly defined validity period. Max Cap privilege limit can be defined by the grade/ tier of the employee. Each card has a unique card ID along with the Employee ID.

‘Voices of Prepaid India’ (VoPI) is another new strategic initiative with Global Prepaid Exchange (Gx) program. ‘Voices of Prepaid India’ is a new Elite Panel Body that has been founded by Gx – with QwikCilver as one of the anchor founding companies. This Body will also have leading global companies like American Express, FIS, Atos as founding members.

Said T.P Pratap, Chief Marketing Officer, QwikCilver Solutions: ‘After successful tie ups with major corporates and launching India’s first fully Integrated Gift Card e-commerce Portal, giftbig.com, QwikCilver Solutions has now come up with yet another major initiative that will herald the rapid growth of the Gift Card category in India. The Gift Card category is already witnessing a tremendous growth across more than 150 cities & towns among consumers and corporates after our launch of India’s first fully integrated Online Gift Card Megamall: http://www.GiftBig.com by QwikCilver’.

Tony Craddock, CEO, VoPI programme, Global Prepaid Exchange said, ‘It is India’s turn to benefit from prepaid. Around the world, prepaid is being adopted to solve problems that normal payment tools such as cash or credit, or normal physical gifts, cannot solve. Leaders such as QwikCilver, Atos Worldline, FIS and American Express have combined forces to stimulate demand. I applaud their vision and willingness to collaborate, because as a result, Indian consumers will benefit’.

Added T P Pratap, “With our pioneering efforts and strong client base across diverse corporate categories like Trent-Landmark, Titan, Madura Garments, Arvind Brands, PVR, Puma, Flipkart, among others, we are very pleased to be selected to be one of the core founding members of “Voices of Prepaid India” by Global Prepaid Exchange – that will work on growing this Prepaid & Gift Card category across consumer segments in India.

“The programme’s purpose is to stimulate demand for prepaid products and services in India by creating awareness, understanding and interest in prepaid as an attractive solution for retailers, businesses and government.”

Corporate sector can now provide this innovative QwikCilver technology to their employees with the Employee Privilege Card for Benefit/Discount programs & Foodcourt management programs. QwikCilver provides real-time & email reports on card usage so that the client can monitor the program at it ends easily. With the use of QwikCilver technology, the Employee Benefit programs not only have lesser management and transaction costs but also offer convenience of handling the entire operations!

Employee has to present this card at the Foodcourts and stores to enjoy the benefits or discount at the participating stores. The process of according thevalue or discounts, verifying employee limits, tracking employee limit utilization is done in real time which makes it very easy to run the program at the different participating outlets. The Program will also support deactivation of discounts during specific “Blackout” periods as defined by the Client. Program also supports card deactivation and re-Issual, in case of loss of card or employee resignation. These cards can be re-loadable and can be cross utilized for awarding Bonuses, Special Product Purchase Schemes and Special Recognition initiatives as well. The program can be extended to as many employees as desired.

About QwikCilver Solutions

QwikCilver Solutions is a Technology Company that has built a unique Technology Product providing end-to-end stored-value-card solutions to retail and corporate customers. The company is funded by leading Venture Capital Funds, Accel Partners & Helion. QwikCilver enable their Retail brands to enhance their sales & brand loyalty through innovative customer engagement programs such as Gift Cards, Loyalty Cards, Discount Cards, and Frequency Cards etc.

For more information, please visit www.qwikcilver.com

About GiftBig.com

GiftBig.com aims to be one stop shop for all the prepaid gifting options in the country. Providing an awesome gifting experience is the motive driving the team at giftBig.com. We believe that by gifting a gift card, you provide an infinite amount of choice to the recipient and hence you Gift Big.

For more information, please visit www.giftbig.com

People want to know about prepaid – press release

For a PDF of this press release click here: Smartex-Gx-press-release-v4.0

Press release - People want to know about prepaid

The Prepaid industry is solving problems and delivering solutions for governments, companies and individuals globally. Expert estimates show the sector to be growing at a phenomenal 40% year on year. Growth like this always attracts interest and a yearning for more good quality, factual knowledge.

To satisfy this demand Smartex and Global Prepaid Exchange have agreed to partner in the establishment of a specialist forum, offering four full-day meetings every year from launch. The initial planned meeting dates will be: 23rd February, 24th April, 11th October and February 2013. Forum meetings will be open to representatives from local government, educational establishments, commercial companies and other potential scheme operators, as well as other members of the prepaid industry and of Smartex. Meeting sessions and workshops will highlight to attendees the opportunities that prepaid can bring to their sector, and the problems it can solve.

Richard Poynder, Chairman of Smartex said, “Prepaid is growing in importance, and a new membership-based forum is an excellent way to bring our two communities together to understand and promote these products. We are delighted to be working with Global Prepaid Exchange as our partner in this part of the e-payment revolution.”

Kevin Harrington, Managing Director of Global Prepaid Exchange, explained, “It is important for us to continue to deliver high quality knowledge and connections to our members and the industry, as well as business sectors for whom prepaid can solve problems and increase profits. This agreement with Smartex will enable us to grow our capability in this area.”

For editors

About Global Prepaid Exchange

Global Prepaid Exchange is the widest-reaching prepaid industry organisation in the world with a membership of over 80 companies that spans four continents. Members are involved in issuing, processing, manufacturing or distributing three out of four of the world’s prepaid programmes.

MasterCard, Visa, Sainsbury’s, First Data, InComm, CPI Card Group, Subway, Ceridian SVS and American Express all use the Global Prepaid Exchange to access industry connections, obtain insight into the marketplace and promote dialogue between businesses with a shared commercial goal.

About Smartex

Now in its 20th year, Smartex operates the world’s largest international network of professional associations concerned with prepaid, smart card, RFID and biometric technologies and applications, with over 300 members spanning three continents.

Smartex’s UK forums continue to educate and inform their members, providing unrivalled networking opportunities within the main market sectors of NFC, smart payments, public transport and higher education. In 2011, Smartex held 21 meetings for its members in the UK, with over 600 attendees and 135 speakers. Smartex also provides independent consultancy services, and holds regular residential workshops in Cambridge.

Further information

Smartex Limited www.smartex.com Richard Poynder richard@smartex.com PO Box 146, Haverhill, Suffolk CB9 7RL

Global Prepaid Exchange Limited www.globalprepaidexchange.com Natalie Worpole, PR4 natalie@PR4.com 020 3142 6800 or 07919 278366

Loyalty: We wont leave home without it

Press release

A Christmas survey by Global Prepaid Exchange, found that 75% of us now have 3 or more loyalty cards and nearly half of us (41%) wouldn’t leave home without one. The survey found that loyalty cards are now used by nearly all of us, with 91% of survey respondents reporting that they use a loyalty card when shopping for food. The savviest shoppers surveyed said they often saved up their points to buy something specific, and would actually choose to shop somewhere they had a loyalty card over another store.

Kevin Harrington, the MD of Global Prepaid Exchange explained, “Loyalty cards use has exploded recently and they have really helped supermarkets know their customers and incentivise them. Some worried that customers were less happy about the information that was being collected about them but 70% of those surveyed actually agreed that loyalty schemes help retailers better understand their needs.”

Organisations like Prepay Solutions and The Logic Group are now developing more technologically advanced loyalty schemes that use Smartphone technology that will really wow shoppers in the near future. These innovations look set to transform loyalty schemes and increase our interaction with them.

Kevin continued, “These innovations are changing the way we interact with brands as they are now able to offer prepaid incentives. Retailers who prompt shoppers with targeted offers, that are easily accessed, whilst they are physically in store, increase the likelihood of making a sale, as many brands have already discovered. We all like getting something for nothing, so we are far more likely to enter a shop where there is even the chance of receiving an incentive.”

Kevin summarised what this means for shopper and retailers, “Whilst the supermarkets have led the way with loyalty schemes and increased its acceptance, this new technology means that even the smallest retailer can and should introduce loyalty programmes over the coming year, but instead of a wallet full of cards the programmes are likely to be stored on your phone.”

Kevin concluded; “I’m really pleased that the survey found that most customers will welcome this type of targeting – it is now for the retailers to take advantage of this massive opportunity.”

Notes to Editors:

Global Prepaid Exchange, www.globalprepaidexchange.com, is the widest reaching prepaid industry organisation in the world with a membership in over 80 companies that spans four continents. Members are involved in issuing, processing, manufacturing or distributing three out of four of the world’s prepaid programmes. MasterCard, Visa, Sainsbury’s, WHSmith, First Data, InComm, CPI Card Group, Subway, Ceridian SVS and American Express all use Global Prepaid Exchange to access industry connections, obtain insight into the marketplace and promote dialogue between businesses with a shared commercial goal.

Press enquiries and interview requests to:

PR4: Natalie Worpole
020 3142 6807
Natalie@pr4.com

Sony Gamers could have stayed safe with prepaid cards

News release

May 2011

Sony Playstation have today admitted that millions of their gamers could have had their credit card details stolen by hackers, who had access to names, email addresses and passwords following what Sony are calling ‘an illegal and unauthorised intrusion’. Although there is no evidence that credit cards were stolen at the time, Sony have admitted it [Read more...]

Smartphone payments set to soar thanks to prepaid innovation

News release

5 April 2011

Imagine being able to pay your car park or bus fare and buy a drink or newspaper simply by holding your smartphone near a wireless terminal. Thanks to the innovation of prepaid providers, this will soon be a reality, and it will have a huge impact on many business sectors.

Kevin Harrington, MD of Global Prepaid Exchange explains, “Consumers are always interested in [Read more...]

Prepaid the India Way – set to grow by up to 30%

News release

March 2011

Prepaid in India set for rapid expansion – annual growth of 30%+ forecast

Research published this week has found that the market opportunity for prepaid in India at US$ 9.3 Billion for 2011.

Within prepaid the market for Gifting, Payroll and Government disbursements alone are set to grow by 30%, 20% and 15% this year respectively. The market for prepaid Travel and FX cards is already over $2 billion according to the [Read more...]

Mary Portas should consider prepaid to revive British High street, says industry expert

News release

20 May 2011

Addressing the problem of empty shops, and coming up with new business models to revitalise the high street is quite a challenge, but one retail queen Mary Portas is well qualified to take on.

Earlier this week, she was appointed by the Government to conduct a widespread retail review, with the aim of [Read more...]

Prepaid helps leisure industry leaders get ahead

News release

May 2011

Over the next few months many leisure and events companies will be introducing a simple change that will mean that their customers queue less, pay less or are safer. The early innovators have already done so and grabbed the competitive advantage. That simple change is the move to prepaid, or [Read more...]

Global Prepaid Exchange appoint new Managing Director

News release, 18 March 2011

Global Prepaid Exchange, the widest reaching prepaid industry organisation, has appointed Kevin Harrington as its new Managing Director.

Kevin’s main role is to manage the international development of [Read more...]