Page 18 - Pay Magazine s2014

paybefore awards europe
Change agent of the Year
The organization that pushed the boundaries of prepaid innovation by creating out-of-the-box or elegant solutions, such as penetrating new geographies, addressing new demographic markets, leveraging or creating distribution channel(s), expanding into new verticals and/or solving a previously “unsolvable” fintech challenge.
Blackhawk Network
where they are: Blackhawk Network is based in Pleasanton, Calif., and operates in 21 other countries with offices in the U.K., Mexico, Canada, Brazil and Australia.
what they did: During 2014 Blackhawk Network was instrumental in expanding e-gifting in Europe with several strategic partnerships
that enable consumers to purchase e-gift cards simply and easily through mobile devices and online banking.
why it works: Multichannel approach maximizes reach and consumer convenience.
why it matters: Blackhawk Network is helping partners reach more European consumers, drive sales and expand the gift card category into digital delivery channels.
differentiators: Deutsche Kreditbank AG banking customers now are able to purchase e-gift cards via online banking as a result of the
bank integrating Retailo GmbH’s technology. Blackhawk Network’s partnership with Barclays provides Pingit customers with a free option to buy and send e-gift cards to recipients by entering a mobile phone number. And with Invitation Digital Limited, Blackhawk Network launched a first-of-its-kind mobile app called GiftCloud that enables U.K. consumers to purchase and send gift cards from mobile devices. GiftCloud users can connect the app
to their Facebook contact lists, ensuring they’ll never miss a birthday again.
what the judges said: Digital gifting is an important complement to traditional retail gift card distribution. By finding partners that reach consumers in mobile and online chan- nels, Blackhawk Network is making significant inroads for this growing segment.
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winners InComm Wirecard
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