Less than 2 weeks until Prepaid Expo: Register today!

With less than 14 days before Prepaid Expo 2012, the numbers indicate we will have the biggest and best prepaid event ever:
2445 Total minutes in the conference agenda dedicated to all things prepaid. We’ve got everything from your most pressing Regulatory concerns, to Mobile Payment Technologies and Distribution Challenges covered, so you can be certain you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. To view the full agenda, click here.

7 Conference Keynotes providing business leadership guidance through a full roster of business visionaries including Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post), Robert Richman (Zappos), and Nick Bilton (The New York Times). To view the full line up of speakers, download the agenda here.

101 Sponsors and Exhibitors displaying the latest and greatest products and solutions in the world’s largest prepaid exhibition. To see the full list of sponsors and exhibitors, click here.

20 Companies providing new Payment & Innovation product demonstrations as part of The Next Big Thing and Innovation Showcase.

32 The percentage increase in C-Level participation we’re currently experiencing compared to 2011.

16,551 The number of twitter impressions including #ppexpo amongst the prepaid community. Join the conversation by following us on twitter @prepaidexpo.

1 The number of chances you’ll have in 2012 to attend the world’s largest gathering of network branded prepaid and stored value decision makers and influencers. Download the latest version of the agenda to see updates to the program. 

Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks in Vegas!
The Prepaid Expo Team

To register, visit www.prepaidexpousa.com,
Call: 1 888-670-8200    
Email: register@iirusa.com

Please mention your priority code when registering to save $100 off the standard and onsite rate:
XU2548BLOG.

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Test Drive a Mobile Expert: Q&A with Ido Ophir, VP of Product Management, Personetics

At the 7th Annual Prepaid Expo taking place this year in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 12-13, 2012, attendees will have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with experts from an array of Prepaid specialties.

We recently, interviewed Ido Ophir, VP of Product Management at Personetics, who will be our featured expert on the topic of Mobile: A New Type of Customer Service Experience. Here is what we discussed below:

What are the (1-3) most pressing issues/trends in your subject area that prepaid professionals should consider and/or watch closely in the coming year?

1. The need to be able to scale their business to address the market trend (prepaid is gaining market share). Are you ready?

2. Defining support strategies that deliver outstanding service – more economically

What are the 3 most commonly asked questions/concerns you hear from clients?

1. Now that prepaid cards are becoming more mainstream, the importance of quality service and delivery is paramount.
2. How can I do more with less (customer satisfaction vs. cost)

3. How will this product help me standout?

4. Can I deploy the same service in multiple channels?

What is/are the most common mistake(s) or oversight(s) people make in the prepaid space related to your area of specialization? Can you please share an anecdote as an example?

1. Not enough emphasis on customer service

2. Adding more and more IVR menu options instead of predicting the reason for a customer call - Too many customers getting lost in the IVR tree

3. Disparate and inconsistent customer experience across different channels

Anecdote:

Challenge: A large card issuer offers banking products, prepaid and virtual cards. There are more than 3 million cards in circulation and agreements with more than 100,000 merchants. The institution wanted to expand self service capabilities across all channels to differentiate itself on the quality of its customer experience. A call analysis in the prepaid card space revealed that 60% of calls were about reloading, PIN or password issues, general program questions, and balance/deposit/transactions questions.

Results: The Personetics Digital Banker was installed and within four weeks, call containment by the tool was at 40%. After 12 weeks, it was 50% and after 20 weeks, it was 55%. Customers who used the self-service option, very satisfied and ratings improved regarding customer experience.

About Ido:

Ido Ophir is responsible for bringing Personetics' products to market. Mr. Ophir oversees a team of subject matter experts and product managers, crafting a roadmap for Personetics technology and business solutions. Prior to joining Personetics, Mr. Ophir held the roles of VP of Strategic Accounts and VP of Product Management at Actimize. Prior to Actimize, Mr. Ophir was VP of Product Development at Always-On, Inc.

You can schedule a meeting with Ido Orphir at Prepaid Expo here, if you need help understanding how to provide an intelligent customer service interaction through technology that anticipates your customer’s needs.


To register, visit www.prepaidexpousa.com,
Call: 1 888-670-8200    
Email: register@iirusa.com

Please mention your priority code when registering to save $100 off the standard and onsite rate:
XU2548BLOG.

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Last Chance to Attend Prepaid Expo at a Discount - Register Today!

Prepaid Expo 2012 is on track to break all previous attendance records! 

That means even more of your business partners, clients, prospects and colleagues will be at the original, longest running and largest prepaid event.

Click here to reserve your place by Friday February 10 before the price increases!

PLUS you’ll have access to the Prepaid Marketplace opening this week and available only to registered attendees

Prepaid Expo's proprietary Prepaid Marketplace allows you to:

• See who is attending before you arrive
• Schedule meetings in advance
• Follow up with contacts after the event
• Make your own calendar so you don't miss the sessions you most want to see

Register by Friday to save $200 on your registration & reserve your spot amongst the leaders in Prepaid. 


Please mention your blog priority code when registering to save an additional $100 off the standard and onsite rate: XU2548BLOG.

Download the latest version of the agenda to see updates to the program.

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Prepaid Expo - The Most Compelling Prepaid Agenda in 2012

Bookings are coming in quickly for the most anticipated Prepaid event of 2012. Our comprehensive agenda boasts mobile and emerging payments and technologies, regulatory traps and hot buttons, incentives and loyalty, Latin America and European market potential, as well as leading research from consulting groups. The detailed program was built with all attendees in mind, with breakouts and special sessions dedicated to C-level executives and beginners alike.

View our Updated Agenda here. Register here. Please mention your priority code when registering to save $100 off the standard and onsite rate: XU2548BLOG.

See a list of your future business partners – Click here for our list of Sponsors and Exhibitors

If you want to exchange ideas, learn new survival tools and develop key business relationships with the “Who’s Who” of the prepaid industry, then Prepaid Expo is the place for you! It is the one place each year where the entire prepaid industry gathers to debate and discuss the key issues confronting the industry.

With 1800+ attendees, 125+ speakers, 100+ sponsors & exhibitors, and 20+ hours of networking - no one can compete with Prepaid Expo. This is your perfect opportunity to move your business forward in 2012!

An Unrivaled Agenda

Adapt your Strategy to Account for Mobile and Emerging Payments Hear from both the leaders in prepaid payments and innovators in nontraditional payments in sessions including “Future Payments” and “We want to do Mobile, Now What?” and see demos of the newest products in Next Big Thing.

Understand How to Make your Prepaid Product Stand Out From the Rest of the Market  Don’t miss our Branding Guru Keynote, Jeff Hayzlett, and the subsequent panel of prepaid industry executives talk about strategies that helped their products succeed. You also should listen to the latest loyalty solutions being developed for Prepaid.

Navigate and Anticipate Regulations on a Federal and State Level and Stay Compliant  Check out our new series of sessions, the Regulation & Compliance Seminar. There will be 7+ dedicated hours of guidance through the evolving regulatory storm.

Plan for a Volatile Economy and Changing Industry  Apply knowledge from leaders in other industries via our Guru Keynote series. Also, learn about the Executive Agenda we devised for the more seasoned prepaid executives.

Keep on Top of Markets Poised for Growth to Stay Profitable in a Low Margin Industry Stay on top of trends from across the Globe by attending sessions in our Latin America Seminar, and sign up for our Workshop on entering Europe. Visit analyst firms to learn the newest data in our Research Roundtables.

Walk Away from a Conference with the Right Contacts and a Specific Plan on How to Help Grow your Business Prepaid Expo ensures you not only make connections, but you also the right connections:

•	Test Drive an Expert will match you up with consultants that can answer your individual business questions
•	Prepaid Connect will introduce you to the type of attendee you want to meet, quickly
•	Industry Night brings together our attendees in a relaxed, fun atmosphere
•	Prepaid Marketplace allows you to see who is coming in advance, and set up meetings before you even arrive on site!

For more information on the above sessions, or to review the entire agenda, click here.

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Congratulations! 2012 Paybefore Awards Winners

Last Friday, Paybefore announced the winners in the 2012 Paybefore Awards, the most prestigious recognition of excellence in the worldwide prepaid and stored value industry. The awards are presented annually by Paybefore, whose publications are the leading source of industry information for the global prepaid community.

Winners now are competing to be named “Best in Category” at the 2012 Paybefore Awards ceremony to be held during Prepaid Expo, next month in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Industry Achievement winner also will be named for the first time at the ceremony.

Marilyn Bochicchio, Paybefore’s CEO noted "this year, Paybefore Awards had a depth of field unlike we’ve ever seen. The competition--particularly in categories such as Most Innovative, Most Effective and Best Consumer Value—was positively inspiring.  


As a whole, this year’s entries show how creatively and effectively prepaid products are being used to address challenging payment needs and the vision and commitment of industry participants to use prepaid as a positive tool for consumers, businesses and government. Every one of the nominees should be extremely proud of its work. 


And, congratulations to all the winners. We’re looking forward to celebrating with you at Paybefore Awards on Monday, March 12 at 5 PM in the Islander Room!"

You are invited to join us as we celebrate the best in global prepaid together with the entire industry!


To register, visit www.prepaidexpousa.com,
Call: 1 888-670-8200
Email: register@iirusa.com

Please mention your priority code when registering to save $100 off the standard and onsite rate:
XU2548BLOG.

2012 Paybefore Award Winners:

Best Government-Funded Prepaid Program smiONE Visa Prepaid Card Systems & Methods Inc. Access TAP ReadyCARD Visa Prepaid Card Ready Credit Corporation Meta Payment Systems Benefits Direct Prepaid Resources LLC

Best International Travel/Remittance Prepaid Program Travel Money Card Commonwealth Bank of Australia Israel Postal Bank Visa Prepaid USD Card Israel Postal Bank Payoneer Inc. Travelex Chip and PIN Cash Passport Access Prepaid Worldwide

Best Health Care/Health Benefits Prepaid Program InComm/Medagate OTC Network Solution InComm Medagate Health Savings Account Card OptumHealth Bank Health SolutionsPlus Evolution1 Inc. Great-West Life Assurance Company Visa Inc.

Most Effective Prepaid Marketing Green Dot Comprehensive Marketing Program Green Dot Corporation Firestone: How America Gets to the Game Promotion Firestone InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions Discover Campus Card Discover Network Visa DPS Ad Campaign Visa Debit Processing Service Eleven Inc.

Best Consumer Value in Prepaid (U.S. programs) UPside Visa Plastyc Inc. American Express Prepaid Card American Express Global Payment Options Gold Card GPR Program Western Union

Best Non-U.S.-Based Prepaid Program Santam Insurance Claims Card DrawCard DavidShield Passport Card DavidShield Choice Bank Limited Payoneer Inc. Orange Cash Prepaid MasterCard Everything Everywhere PrePay Solutions

Breakout Prepaid Company of the Year Ceridian Stored Value Solutions American Express InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions

Best Gift Card Program Online Gift and Greeting Cards Western Union The One4all Gift Card The Gift Voucher Shop Telemundo-Quinceanera MasterCard Gift Card Telemundo InComm MasterCard Worldwide

Best Prepaid Incentive, Reward, Rebate or Loyalty Program MetroPCS Visa Prepaid Rebate Program Parago Paylution Visa Prepaid Card hyperWALLET Systems Inc. The Bancorp Bank FIS Payment Solutions Group NEW Rapid Product Replacement Plan Walmart InComm N.E.W. Customer Service Companies LLC

Best Emergency/Insurance/Non-Government Benefits Prepaid Program  Aviva Visa Options Card Aviva FIS Santam Insurance Claims Card DrawCard Nationwide Claim Card Nationwide Bank Visa Debit Processing Service

Best Prepaid Gaming Card Ultimate Game Card PlaySpan The PlayStation Network Prepaid Card Sony PlayStation Network InComm Gift Card Payment Network Openbucks

Best Prepaid Card or Packaging Design VUDU Digital Movie Card: A New Way to Buy and Watch Movies Walmart First Data Walmart MoneyCard Walmart GE Capital Retail Bank Green Dot Corporation Lucky Red Pocket Prepaid Visa Card DCR Strategies Inc. TruCa$h Yang Group

Best Consumer Value in Prepaid (International programs) Aktif81 Aktif Bank Freedom Prepaid Card Itz Cash Card Limited Kukuruza Card Euroset MasterCard

Most Innovative Prepaid Program U.S. Bank Jingit Visa Prepaid Card Jingit U.S. Bank Google Prepaid Card Google First Data MasterCard Post Office Budget Card The Gift Voucher Shop Post Office

Best General Purpose Reloadable Program MoneyWise Reloadable MasterCard Western Union ACE Elite Prepaid Card ACE Cash Express Walmart MoneyCard Walmart Green Dot Corporation GE Capital Retail Bank

Best Employee Benefit/ Transit Prepaid Program Money Network MasterCard Paycard Walmart First Data Commuter Check Card Prepaid MasterCard Edenred ALINE Pay by ADP ADP

Best Youth/Student Campus/Prepaid Program Young Money Prepaid Discover Card Discover Network Madison Strategic Integration ACCENT InterMedia Aktif38 Uni Passo Aktif Bank SpendSmart Prepaid MasterCard BillMyParents Inc.

Best Digital Currency Green Dot MoneyPak Green Dot Network Zeevex InComm paysafecard paysafecard group

Best Virtual, Digital or Mobile Prepaid Application Google Prepaid Card: Transforming Your Mobile Phone into Your Wallet Google First Data MasterCard Mocapay Offers Merchants Suite of Mobile Commerce Solutions Mocapay Virtual PIN Delivery Walmart.com InComm

Most Effective Prepaid Solution Amway Automation Program Itz Cash Card Limited MasterCard Wellness Prepaid Card InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions Meta Payment Systems Monsanto: Rapid Recognition Monsanto InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions

Top Prepaid Retailer The Home Depot The Home Depot eGift Card Program CashStar Inc. ACE Cash Express ACE Elite Prepaid Card Giant Eagle Giant Eagle fuelperks! Reloadable Visa Prepaid Card

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Social Media Guru Prepaid Expo 2012 Keynote : Scott Stratten, “UnMarketing”

Today we are spotlighting Prepaid Expo's 2012 Guru Leadership Keynotes...Inspiring Your Prepaid Business's Growth through a Full Roster of Business Visionaries 


Here is our Social Media Guru Keynote: Scott Stratten,  discussing “UnMarketing” and how to embrace and understand social media to capture your target market, which is what he will tack about in-depth, live at Prepaid Expo, taking place March 12-14, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Who is Scott Stratten and what is Un-Marketing?

Scott Stratten is the President of Un-Marketing. He is an expert in Viral, Social, and Authentic Marketing which he calls Un-Marketing. It’s all about positioning yourself as a trusted expert in front of your target market, so when they have the need, they choose you.

Formerly a music industry marketer, national sales training manager and a Professor at the Sheridan College School of Business, he has been running his “UnAgency” for 8 years which has become the place companies like PepsiCo, Adobe, Red Cross and Fidelity Investments come to when they need help guiding their way through the viral/social media and relationship marketing landscape and was voted one of the top influencers on Twitter.  His clients’ viral marketing videos have been viewed over 60 million times even before YouTube existed.

His book “UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging” became a national best-seller before it was released, and recently a Globe and Mail #1 Business best-seller, National Post, Amazon.com, Amazon.ca and Amazon UK best-seller. It was also just named one of the top business books of the year by 1-800-CEO READ and one of the top 10 books of 2010 by Under30CEO.com. He was just named one of “America’s 10 Marketing Gurus” by Business Review USA.

Learn more about all of the Prepaid Expo's 2012 Guru Leadership Keynotes here.

Don't miss your opportunity to join Scott and over 1700+ Prepaid professionals at the 7th Annual Prepaid Expo.

Visit www.prepaidexpousa.com,
Call: 1 888-670-8200
Email: register@iirusa.com

Please mention your priority code when registering to save $100 off the standard and onsite rate: 

XU2548BLOG.

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