Wednesday, November 10, 2010

2Checkout Partners with Znode

http://www.2checkout.comCOLUMBUS, Ohio--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--2Checkout.com, Inc. and Znode, Inc. are excited to announce a partnership that will make buying and selling products online faster, easier, and more secure. The combination of 2Checkout's existing International customer base and global online payment solutions with Znode's industry-leading multi-store ecommerce software, will benefit each party’s existing customer bases, while creating unique customer acquisition possibilities.
“This is an exciting and smart partnership for everyone involved. We have 2Checkout's global base of sellers combining with the industry's leading ecommerce software company. Our merchants will have access to even more tools to sell their products. We are looking forward to a deep and lasting partnership with Znode.”
While 2Checkout is widely known for providing merchants with a safe and easy way to accept payments online, Znode provides online retailers with unique marketing capabilities through a multiple-store customer acquisition and retention model. This partnership will provide 2Checkout's merchants with even more ways to reach customers and increase sales.
Chris Daly, Chief Marketing Officer of 2Checkout.com, said "This is an exciting and smart partnership for everyone involved. We have 2Checkout's global base of sellers combining with the industry's leading ecommerce software company. Our merchants will have access to even more tools to sell their products. We are looking forward to a deep and lasting partnership with Znode."
About 2Checkout.com, Inc.
Founded in 2000 and based in Columbus, Ohio, 2Checkout.com, Inc. is a global payments solutions provider servicing approximately 60,000 online retailers. 2Checkout provides web-based businesses with merchant accounts and merchant account alternatives to support on-line credit card and Acculynk's internet PIN Debit solutions, as well as alternative payment processing in conjunction with a fully automated suite of backend services, including world-class fraud protection, customer care, PCI data storage, and multiple payment methods in multiple currencies and languages. For more information visit http://www.2checkout.com.
About Znode, Inc.
Znode® a Columbus, Ohio based company is an industry leader in multi-store ecommerce software trusted by leading global brands to boost customer acquisition. Our flagship product Multifront™ makes it easy for retailers to launch multiple web and mobile stores using a single integrated system. Multifront includes rich customer experience features, centralized administration, custom promotion campaigns, full mobile commerce, comprehensive SEO, PCI compliance and enterprise class scalability. Learn more about Znode’s full range of ecommerce offerings at http://www.znode.com.

Contacts

2Checkout.com, Inc.
William Clifford, 614-921-2450 x105
wclifford@2co.com
Permalink: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20101110006808/en/e-commerce/buying/selling

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Forrester: Online Retail Sales in U.S. to Reach $52 Billion this Holiday Season

A Danish Christmas tree illuminated with burni...Image via Wikipedia
http://www.forrester.com

Forrester: Online Retail Sales To Charge Ahead This Holiday

Retailers Expect Sales To Increase With Help Of Aggressive Promotions
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Online retail sales in the US will reach nearly $52 billion this holiday season, a 16 percent increase over last year’s weak numbers, according to a new forecast by Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR). The 2010 growth rate is twice the rate in 2009, when online holiday sales grew 8 percent in the wake of the global recession. Forrester defines the holiday shopping season as the months of November and December.
“Retailers must expect heavy price-based competition this season and be prepared to play.”
“Consumers are showing a willingness to spend this season,” said Sucharita Mulpuru, Forrester Research vice president and principal analyst. “And, almost universally, online retailers expect their holiday sales to increase this year over last year, showing industrywide optimism.”
The National Retail Federation is forecasting a 2.3 percent increase in total holiday retail sales this year, reflecting the overall strength of the online channel.* A recent Forrester survey of 4,700 US online consumers showed that they will make 37 percent of their purchases via an online channel this holiday season, compared with 30 percent in 2009. And 80 percent of retailers surveyed in the Shop.org/Forrester Q3 2010 Online Sales Flash Survey say that their gross online sales increased year over year for Q3, a likely indicator that the trend is primed to continue.
As outlined in the new Forrester report, “US Online Holiday Retail Forecast, 2010,” 87 percent of US online buyers with a household income of $100,000 or more say they will spend the same or more online this year compared with last year, while just 13 percent say they plan to spend less. This year will also see a boost in mobile’s role in completing a purchase — 18 percent of US online adults plan to use their mobile device to compare retail prices, and 16 percent expect to use their phone to locate a nearby store.
“Online retailers are primed to react to this year’s holiday trends,” said Mulpuru, “initiating aggressive promotional programs to drive holiday sales — exceeding even the discounts of previous years.” Expect to see larger promotional budgets to drive interaction, in addition to the usual incentives such as “buy one, get one free.” Deep discounts will also be in play, but key dates such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday will be of utmost importance. “Retailers must expect heavy price-based competition this season and be prepared to play.”
*The National Retail Federation and Forrester forecasts do not cover the same categories and employ different methodologies.
About Forrester Research
Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) is an independent research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. Forrester works with professionals in 19 key roles at major companies providing proprietary research, customer insight, consulting, events, and peer-to-peer executive programs. For more than 27 years, Forrester has been making IT, marketing, and technology industry leaders successful every day. For more information, visit www.forrester.com.
© 2010, Forrester Research, Inc. All rights reserved. Forrester is a trademark of Forrester Research, Inc.

Contacts

Forrester Research, Inc.
Simone Levien, 617-613-6387
Public Relations Associate
press@forrester.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101109005362/en/Forrester-Online-Retail-Sales-Charge-Holiday

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American Express Launches inSite, an Online Shopping Tool That Automatically Points out Offers to Cardmembers When They Shop Online

American Express logoImage via Wikipedia

New Tool Facilitates Easier and More Efficient Online Shopping in Time for the Holiday Season
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Express® announces today the launch of inSiteSM from American Express – an innovative new shopping tool that delivers Membership Rewards®bonus points, discounts, free shipping and other special benefits exclusively to American Express Cardmembers as they shop online. The free download is currently available for Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards® program at insite.americanexpress.com.

How inSite Works
“Shoppers know that some of the best offers and deals can be found online, but traditionally, consumers are required to seek them out,” said Elizabeth Skinner, Vice President of Marketing. “Now, through inSite, we are transforming the online shopping experience by bringing those offers right to our Cardmembers while they shop online– from search results through to check out. inSite is unique in the marketplace and eliminates the hassle of looking for specials or visiting offer pages to find deals prior to making a purchase online. It ensures our Cardmembers do not miss out on any of the special benefits that come with their Card.”
With inSite, when a discount or special offer is available at a retailer, the Cardmembers’ online search results will include the blue American Express ® icon with an arrow. When the cursor is placed over the icon, the offer is revealed and can be easily redeemed as the Cardmember continues shopping as they normally would. inSite will also advise Cardmembers of offers when they directly visit participating retail websites.
The offers delivered by inSite span more than 250 popular brands like Banana Republic, Crate & Barrel and Barnes & Noble.com. While any Cardmember can download inSite, offers currently available are geared towards those enrolled in the Membership Rewards® program on Platinum, Gold, Green, Zync or Blue Cards. Offers include bonus points promotions, discounts and other specials, like free shipping. Looking ahead, American Express will continue to evolve inSite by incorporating additional features and offers to ensure ongoing customer value.
How to Download inSite
Cardmembers can take advantage of inSite by simply visiting insite.americanexpress.com to download and install the tool on their browser. Cardmembers can then log in using their existing American Express User ID and Password. The tool works on many popular Internet browsers, including Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox on PCs as well as Safari and Mozilla Firefox on Macs. American Express partnered with Billeo, Inc. to develop inSite exclusively for Cardmembers. Billeo specializes in creating browser applications that simplify the online experience.
Protecting Cardmember Privacy
American Express is committed to providing Cardmembers with a secure and safe shopping tool and has developed inSite to meet a high internal standard for customer privacy. The tool collects contextual information necessary to deliver and fulfill the personalized offers to Cardmembers, including the merchant domain name, the dollar amount of the item and the type of American Express Card used when a purchase is completed. However, as a protective measure for our Cardmembers, the tool has been especially designed to function without using "Personally Identifiable Information" (PII), which is any information that uniquely identifies the user, such as name, address, telephone number and email address. Cardmembers have the option to disable or uninstall inSite at any time. The full privacy statement can be accessed at insite.americanexpress.com/privacy.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more atwww.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpresswww.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

Contacts

American Express
Bradley Minor, 212-640-2274
bradley.r.minor@aexp.com
or
Ogilvy Public Relations
Emily Harris, 212-880-5276
emily.harris@ogilvypr.com
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101110005642/en/American-Express-Launches-inSiteSM-Online-Shopping-Tool

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Gemalto Launches Payment Card with Online Banking Security Functionality

2010 AFP Annual Conference
http://www.gemalto.comSAN ANTONIO--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, today launched the industry‘s first credit card to combine one-time password security capabilities with standard payment. This innovation allows banks to provide a single card that delivers both payment and increased security for online transactions. The new Gemalto Ezio product is immediately available in the United States.
“With the rapid growth of attempted online fraud, financial institutions are looking for effective and affordable ways to provide increased and more user-friendly online security, especially for commercial and high net worth accounts”
The card’s online secure password feature is activated by pressing a button on the face of the card. A one-time code is digitally generated and displayed. The card becomes a second factor of authentication, allowing the user to enter this unique and non-reusable numeric code on a Web page, in addition to their user name and password.
As part of the solution, Gemalto provides a turnkey platform that is plug and play with existing banking systems, for the online verification. The server verifies user authentication for online transactions and account access. Gemalto also offers complete personalization and fulfillment services.
“With the rapid growth of attempted online fraud, financial institutions are looking for effective and affordable ways to provide increased and more user-friendly online security, especially for commercial and high net worth accounts,” commented Ove Wedsjo, head of eBanking at Gemalto. “Our brand new Ezio product equips end-users with a security token embedded in a form-factor they are very familiar with, guaranteeing high user acceptance. It allows for bankers to lower their fulfillment costs and at the same time significantly increase online security."
Products within Gemalto’s Ezio eBanking security range are already being used by over half a million online customers globally.
Gemalto’s complete range of eBanking and eCommerce solutions can be found at http://www.gemalto.com/financial/ebanking/.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2009 annual revenues of €1.65 billion, and over 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, with research and service centers in 41 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.
Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity, identity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriber identification modules (SIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) in mobile phones, smart banking cards, smart card access badges, electronic passports, and USB tokens for online identity protection. Moreover Gemalto delivers on emerging applications related to the ‘Internet of things’ by supplying wireless modules and machine identification modules (MIM) for machine-to-machine communication. To complete these solutions we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.
As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.

Contacts

Gemalto
North America
Ray Wizbowski, +1 512-257-3950
ray.wizbowski@gemalto.com
or
Montner & Associates Tech PR Agency
Deb Montner, +1 203-226-9290
dmontner@montner.com
or
Europe, Middle East & Africa
Peggy Edoire, +33 4 42 36 45 40
peggy.edoire@gemalto.com
or
Latin America
Ramzi Abdine, +55 11 5105 7659
ramzi.abdine@gemalto.com
or
Asia Pacific
Yvonne Lim, +65 6317 3730
yvonne.lim@gemalto.com
Permalink: http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20101109007848/en/one-time-password/OTP/secure-online-banking

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Javelin Study Estimates P2P Payments as $7 Billion Market in U.S.

San Francisco, -- A new Javelin Strategy & Research report issued today Person-to-Person Mobile Money Transfers: Successfully Navigating a Market in Transition” finds that U.S. adoption of person-to-person (P2P) mobile money transfers is currently quite low. Although only 8% of consumers with a mobile phone plan to make a mobile transfer in the next year, there is strong adoption in emerging markets outside the U.S., providing a healthy indicator to the many financial institutions in the early stages of implementing mobile P2P services within the U.S. market. Javelin estimates that the annual transaction volume for mobile P2P transfers in the U.S. will be $7 billion this year, with volume projected to grow substantially in the next few years.

Adoption overseas is being driven by the lack of banking infrastructure such as ATMs and bank branches and by the lack of alternatives such as cash or check products in emerging markets such as Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean Islands. “In the U.S., we have a highly developed and mature payment ecosystem that offers consumers abundant choices for making payments, which is something many emerging markets don’t have,” said James Van Dyke, President and Founder of Javelin. “If financial institutions want to be consumers’ first choice for banking and payments via mobile devices, they will need to develop a strategy for addressing the growing P2P mobile money market.”
Mobile person-to-person payments have been available for more than ten years in the U.S., tracing their roots back to PayPal’s arrival in 1998. However, despite significant advances in handset technology, mobile network connectivity and improved experiences for users on handsets, broad-based consumer adoption of mobile P2P payments in the U.S. remains low.

Selected Key Report Findings Person-to-Person Mobile Money Transfers

  • Smartphone owners and consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 are both the most active users of mobile banking and are prime targets for mobile P2P use.
  • Almost four in every ten mobile bankers used mobile P2P transfers in the past twelve months.
  • Most consumers who use mobile P2P payments do so for domestic transfers and not for international remittances, with the majority of mobile P2P transactions initiated in the U.S. in the $10 to $50 value range.
  • In addition to limited service availability, which is changing dramatically this year and will continue to do so for the next several years, consumer awareness and security concerns are the top barriers to U.S. consumer adoption of mobile P2P payments.

“Until now, no dominant P2P mobile payments player has surfaced in the U.S. By not implementing mobile P2P and other mobile payment services, FIs have left a strategic gap in their product offerings that has been and could continue to be filled by non‐FI third parties,” said Beth Robertson, Director of Payments Research at Javelin. “As large FIs begin offering mobile P2P, these bank-centric services will act as a strategic counterbalance, potentially providing the market with the momentum it is currently lacking to help propel mobile P2P payments out of its current niche status and into the mainstream.”

Javelin’s Person-to-Person Mobile Money Transfers report discusses the primary models offered in the mobile P2P marketplace, analyzes U.S. consumer usage, barriers to adoption and suggested approaches to circumventing these barriers, and reviews 14 mobile P2P payment vendors and FIs. The report is based on data collected online from two random-sample survey panels, including 3,100 respondents with mobile phones in July 2010 and 5,211 households representative of the U.S. online population in March 2010.

About Javelin Strategy & Research

Javelin provides superior direction on key facts and forces that materially determine the success of customer-facing financial services, payments and security initiatives. Our advantages are rigorous process, independent position and expert people. For more information about this or other Javelin reports, please visitwww.javelinstrategy.com/research or contact Liz Travers at (925) 225-9100 ext. 31 or etravers@javelinstrategy.com.

Source: Company press release.
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G&D Contactless Payment Card Shipments Top 50 Million Units in U.S.

MUNICH & DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) announces that shipments of its Convego Air® contactless payment cards in the U.S. have now surpassed the 50 million unit mark. Since the introduction of its contactless payment cards in 2006 and its subsequent growth, G&D has captured the leadership position in the U.S. among Visa and MasterCard branded contactless payment cards. G&D is broadening its contactless platform with innovative form factors, including mobile payment stickers for mobile phones and contactless payment cards with enhanced metal effect features.

“Contactless payment is a key component of our full service offering and facilitates payment technology in a mobile world. We are proud to support our card issuers by commercializing new payment technologies that further this transition.”
With contactless payment, consumers enjoy added speed and convenience versus cash, while issuers and merchants enjoy faster transaction times, increased spending per transaction, and reduced operational costs.
G&D’s contactless payment cards are issued by many of the major U.S. banks and G&D is the first card vendor to surpass the 50 million mark. The cards are certified for MasterCard® PayPass™ and Visa payWave and can be used at all payment terminals supporting contactless payment.
Scott Marquardt, President of G&D America commented, “Contactless payment is a key component of our full service offering and facilitates payment technology in a mobile world. We are proud to support our card issuers by commercializing new payment technologies that further this transition.”
G&D’s contactless platform is now expanding with new form factors and into new market applications. These include the recent introduction of mobile payment stickers, which empower mobile phones to act as payment devices and serve as the ideal bridge product until embedded payment technology for mobile devices is commercially viable.
Additionally, G&D is introducing contactless payment cards with enhanced metal effect features that overcome the technical challenges of the metalized surface on contactless technology. G&D’s new metal effect contactless cards enable full 4th line embossing, a feature unavailable with previous contactless cards.
About Giesecke & Devrient
Giesecke & Devrient (G&D) is a leading international technology provider headquartered in Munich, Germany. With a headcount of more than 10,000 employees, the Group generated sales of EUR 1.7 billion in fiscal 2009. Founded in 1852, G&D is a global market leader and pioneering innovator in banknote production and processing, smart card solutions and services for telecommunications and electronic payment, and security documents and identification systems. 65 subsidiaries and joint ventures in 32 countries ensure customer proximity worldwide. For more information, visit our website at: www.gi-de.com.

Contacts

Giesecke & Devrient GmbH .
Stefan Waldenmaier
Phone: +49 (0)89 4119 2985
Fax: +49 (0)89 4119 1208
Press Officer
stefan.waldenmaier@gi-de.com
or
Corporate Communications
www.gi-de.com/press

At A Glance

Giesecke & Devrient
Source: via Business Wire
Updated   05/12/2009   by company
Headquarters:Dulles, Virginia, Munich, Germany
Website:http://www.gdai.com
CEO:Karsten Ottenberg
Employees:10,000
Organization:Private
Permalink: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101110005682/en/GD-Contactless-Payment-Card-Shipments-Top-50
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Discover to Join the 2011 Tournament of Roses® Parade

Launches blog to involve Parade fans in building of float

Celebrates participation with $10K grant to Junior Achievement of Southern California
RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) announced today its participation in the 2011 Tournament of Roses® Parade to be held on Jan. 1, 2011, in Pasadena, Calif. Discover’s involvement with the Tournament of Roses complements its commitment to college football and the company’s partnership with the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), which includes a four-year title sponsorship of the Orange Bowl and status as the Official Credit Card of the BCS.
http://www.discoverfinancial.com
“We're proud to be part of such a great American tradition”
In keeping with this year’s Rose Parade theme – Building Dreams, Friendships and Memories – Discover has selected Fiesta Parade Floats to design and construct a float entitled “A State Fair to Remember.”
“We're proud to be part of such a great American tradition,” said Julie Loeger, Senior Vice President of Brand and Product Management at Discover. “Since so many of our customers watch the Rose Parade each New Year’s Day, we’ve designed our float to celebrate one of the things they care about most: spending time with family and friends. And a state fair is the kind of experience where everyone can have fun and create lasting memories together.”
Discover also will feature six members of its customer service team on its float.
“We’re extremely proud of our award-winning customer service team—all of whom are based in the U.S.—and their dedication to helping our customers,” said Loeger. “Showcasing account managers on our float is another way we’re demonstrating Discover’s commitment to delivering the best service in our industry.”
“Discover’s float will be a great addition to the 122nd Rose Parade,” said Jeff Throop, president of the Tournament of Roses Association. “Our viewers constantly look forward to new entries that will delight them on New Year’s morning. With its moving Ferris wheel and many fun elements, ‘A State Fair to Remember’ will surely thrill audiences both in person and on television. We are thrilled to have Discover join us in the Rose Parade.”
“March to the Rose Parade®” Blog
To share its involvement in the Rose Parade with customers and parade fans, Discover has created a new blog featuring events and activities related to the construction of the company’s float. Visitors can learn about Rose Parade float making and judging criteria, see photos and video of Discover’s float under construction, and post comments on the blog. Visit Discover’s “March to the Rose Parade®” blog at http://www.discoveratroseparade.wordpress.com.
Donation to Junior Achievement
In conjunction with Discover’s parade participation, the company will donate $10,000 to Junior Achievement of Southern California to help develop tutoring programs in Pasadena Schools. The donation reflects Discover’s long-standing commitment to primary education and tradition of investing in the communities where it does business.
“Discover and Junior Achievement have a successful, long-standing relationship, and we’re extremely proud to partner with such a prominent and committed community partner,” said Gary W. Hickman, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern California. “Discover’s support has enabled us to continue to provide educational programming for millions of youth nationwide, and many local Pasadena students through in-class programs and participation in JA of Southern California’s Finance Park.”
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company operates the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers personal and student loans, online savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its Discover Bank subsidiary. Its payment businesses consist of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.

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