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JEFFERSONVILLE, IN February 6, 2007
ACCENT Intermedia, LLC has
signed a licensing agreement with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to
launch collegiate branded gift cards from leading NCAA Division I universities
in over 5,000 retail locations. ACCENT is working in exclusive partnership with
Blackhawk Network and Comdata Stored Value Solutions to launch the gift card
program, which will be distributed in Blackhawk Network’s grocery, drug and
convenience stores with geographic proximity to each university’s campus. There
are 24 universities launching gift cards this holiday including: University of
Alabama, University of Arizona, University of Arkansas, Auburn University,
Clemson University, University of Connecticut, University of Florida, Florida
State University, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, University of Illinois,
University of Kentucky, Louisiana State University, University of Louisville,
University of Maryland, University of Miami, University of Michigan, Oklahoma
State University, Purdue University, University of South Carolina, Stanford
University, University of Tennessee, University of Virginia and University of
Wisconsin. Recipients of the college gift cards will redeem the cards online
for premium, officially licensed apparel through the official website for these
college gift cards, www.officialcollegecard.com,
or via catalog.
Tim Clark, Chief Executive Officer of ACCENT Intermedia said, “We believe gift
cards are more appealing gift options when you can attach a higher level of
personalization to them.” Clark continued, “By partnering with the CLC,
Blackhawk and Comdata Stored Value Solutions to launch the collegiate gift
card, we’re creating a card that allows the purchaser to do just that. Now you
can recognize a recipient’s favorite team or alma mater, and still give the
gift of choice.”
Clark stated, “We’ve received a lot of positive feedback, not only from
consumers but also from retailers and corporate collegiate sponsors that want
to tie the card into special promotions.”
“CLC is excited ACCENT Intermedia is offering this unique gift giving option to
the collegiate marketplace”, said Pat Battle, President and CEO of The
Collegiate Licensing Company. " We hope this program will help to increase
exposure for our clients while providing an alternative gift solution for
students, alumni and fans.”
ACCENT Intermedia will, at a minimum, focus on the top fifty colleges and
universities based on merchandise sales, and intends to obtain distribution in
as many of Blackhawk’s 60,000 retail locations as possible across the country.
“Blackhawk Network’s sports division has pioneered the sports gift card market.
These college gift cards from ACCENT and CLC are a perfect addition to our
existing selection of sports gift cards,” said Don Kingsborough, President and
Chief Executive Officer, Blackhawk Network. “With Blackhawk Network’s 60,000
retail locations, we can place the right card in the right market so everyone
can give and receive the gift of their favorite school. The passion for college
athletics is unmatched; and this passion should drive lots of college gift card
sales.”
ACCENT Intermedia is located in the ACCENT 300 Building, 300 Missouri Avenue,
in Jeffersonville, IN.
About ACCENT Intermedia
ACCENT Intermedia partners with world-class companies to develop, market, sell
and supportinnovative stored value products and services. ACCENT delivers
unique giftcard concepts and marketing strategies that maximize client
profitability, while adding value and convenience for the end consumer.
Headquartered in Jeffersonville, Indiana, ACCENT provides full-service
capabilities in gift card strategy, escheatment, design, fulfillment, web sales
integration, application design and third party distribution.
About Blackhawk Network
Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a prepaid and payments
network,a market leader in card-based financial solutions and the largest
provider ofthird-party prepaid cards. Blackhawk Network develops unique
products in easy-to-useformats and delivers them to consumers through an
exclusive retail network ofleading grocery, mass, convenience, drug and
specialty retailers. The networkincludes more than 60,000 store fronts and
reaches more than 135 million consumerseach week. Headquartered in Pleasanton,
California, Blackhawk Network has officesin the United States, Canada and the
United Kingdom.
About The Collegiate Licensing Company
The Collegiate Licensing Company is the oldest and largest collegiate licensing
agency in the nation. CLC currently represents more than 200 colleges,
universities, bowl games, athletic conferences, The Heisman Trophy, and the
NCAA (including the Men's and Women's Final Four, the College World Series, and
all NCAA Championships). Headquartered in Atlanta, CLC is a full-service
licensing representative, which employs a staff of more than 80 licensing
professionals who provide full-service capabilities in brand protection, brand
management, and brand development.
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