"MCI PrePaid is the first prepaid card provider to feature DILBERT. DILBERT is one of the fastest growing comic strips in the country, and we're excited about being a part of the phenomenon," said Jeffrey Brown, Director of Marketing, PrePaid Markets at MCI.
A must-have for DILBERT fans, the cards feature Dilbert as the main character along with Dogbert and Office Team images. The four-card series is available in 25 and 50 unit calling increments.
"We expect the DILBERT card to become one of MCI's hottest prepaid cards," said Brown. "DILBERT will draw the attention of thousands of uninitiated office workers to the fun and value of prepaid long distance cards."
The cards are available at The Southland Corporation's approximately 5,000 Seven-Eleven stores nationwide and other retailers, and also can be ordered by calling MCI toll free at 800-274-8455 or via MCI's Web site at www.mci.com/prepaid .
"Holiday shoppers looking for a unique stocking stuffer or practical gift for the frequent traveler, out of town family member, or son or daughter away at school can trust the FirstClass PhoneCard because it is backed by American Express and delivered by the United States Postal Service," said Anne Hopkins, president of American Express Telecom, Inc. "This year we expanded the availability of the FirstClass PhoneCard, designed decorative packaging and introduced new designs keeping in the tradition of U.S. postage stamp artwork to make the FirstClass PhoneCard an ideal gift."
According to the American Express Retail Index, the FirstClass PhoneCard is Priced Right
Sold in denominations of $10, $20 and $50, the FirstClass PhoneCard is priced to fit the budgets of those looking for stocking stuffers and office gifts. According to the 1997 American Express Retail Index on holiday shopping, 57 percent of shoppers plan to buy stocking stuffers this year and spend an average $15 per gift. At work, 29 percent have organized gift exchanges, with almost half (46 percent) having a spending limit of less than $20.
New Editions for '97 Include Kwanzaa FirstClass PhoneCards
Another first this year is the $20 FirstClass PhoneCard honoring Kwanzaa, the week-long African-American festival of family, community and culture. The FirstClass PhoneCard features the artwork of noted artist Synthia Saint James which appears on the Kwanzaa U.S. postage stamp. A new series of limited edition FirstClass PhoneCard Holiday Designs, including American Holly with $10 of calling time and Midnight Angel with $20 of calling time, join the Hanukkah FirstClass PhoneCard and several other collectible images on sale this year(A).
A New Kind of Window Shopping - Vending Machines
For the first time, holiday shoppers will have the added convenience of purchasing FirstClass PhoneCards through many U.S. Postal Service stamp vending machines, which are often accessible 24 hours a day. In addition, FirstClass PhoneCards will still be available from postal clerks and by calling 800-AXP-POST (297-7678).
"A lot of last minute gift searching is for those who are hard to shop for, like a teacher, coach or co-worker," said Jane Langdon, Manager of New Businesses for the Postal Service. "By making a practical and thoughtful gift like the FirstClass PhoneCard available at vending machines and service windows, shoppers will have the flexibility they need during the busy holiday season."
Free Gift Card With Gift
Personalizing the FirstClass PhoneCard with a handwritten note is easy with the fitted stocking-shaped FirstClass PhoneCard holder gift card and envelope. These items are not available through the vending machines, but are free when FirstClass PhoneCards are purchased from a postal clerk or by dialing the toll-free phone number.
The FirstClass PhoneCard, available at over 11,000 U.S. Post Offices, is useable from any touch-tone telephone in the United States -- no quarters, no hassles. After dialing an 800 number, FirstClass PhoneCard users hear an automated system telling them how much time is left on the card before the call is put through.
The FirstClass PhoneCard is less expensive than a collect call and more economical than many calling cards. In addition, unlike many other pre-paid calling cards, the FirstClass PhoneCard is both rechargeable and replaceable if lost or stolen, making it handy enough to use throughout the year. And the card is backed by American Express' customer service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Check out the latest Telephone Card Club's page on:-
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/telephone_card_club
Where you'll find news of all the latest BT card releases, plus several dealers advertising cards for sale and even a couple of dealers who will send you cards on approval.
There are three different versions of the new international cards. Customers can use the cards to call any country in the world; however, the customer will get the best rate by buying the card targeted at the country they are calling.
The Mexico and Latin America card allows callers to phone Mexico for 58 cents a minute. The Canada and Europe card charges 29 cents per minute to phone Canada and the United Kingdom; and calls to Japan with the Japan/Asian Pacific card are 49 cents per minute. All of the cards can be used to call to and from anywhere -- even within the United States.
What sets these cards apart from those of competitors is the fact that there are no surcharges for each call.
"Most international phone cards charge consumers an additional surcharge for each international call they make," said Michael Baldwin, 7-Eleven product manager for phone cards. "7-Eleven's card only charges for calling time used."
The cards are available in $10 and $20 denominations. 7-Eleven is also featuring a special introductory offer on all the new international phone cards.
"Customers receive an extra 10 percent of calling time free on all international calling-cards during November and December, while supplies last," said Baldwin. "We have also provided all store employees with a free 5-minute card, so they can become familiar with how the cards work."
Bilingual instructions come with each card. Instructions for the Mexico card are in English and Spanish, for the Canada card in English and French, and for the Japan card in English and Japanese.
Five of the six designs will be available in either 15-unit, or 30-unit values with one unit equaling one minute for all calls within the USA> The "Dragon Boating '97" card will only be available with 15 minutes of phone time. Three of the designs carry original illustrations by award-winning designer and artist, Scott Frangos, who founded the company. These cards are considered highly collectible, since each design will be retired after just 2500 cop each unit value (5000 total) are sold. 100 samples of each design have also been run.
The designs are:
- DRAGON BOATING 97 - commemorating "Dragon Boat Racing" (22 person canoes), design © Frangos Communications. 15-units.
- ASTORIA OREGON - features original illustration of coastal city by Scott Frangos, © Frangos Communications. 15 & 30 units.
- MONDO - an early favorite original design with world illustrations of people from all cultures, © Frangos Communications. 15 & 30 units.
- PEACE - a settling message to send friends and family, featuring a bright illustration of the dove of peace, design © Frangos Communications. 15 & 30 units.
- MT. HOOD OREGON - Features original illustration of famous Oregon peak by Scott Frangos, © Frangos Communications. 15 & 30 units.
- AUSTRALIA - features original illustration of the land down under by Scott Frangos, © Frangos Communications. 15 & 30 units.
Network services for the cards are being provided by more than one company as each consequtive run of 250-500 cards are produced. Initial run services were provided by USA-Tel, with plans to use Cable & Wirless, AtCall and Quest on future issues. Service provider and 800# is noted on the back of each card.
Frangos Communications also specializes in producing custom cards for collectors, schools, churches and businesses. Contact the company at 503.653.8068 for more information.
I’ll be taking next week off for Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
Alan
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