Phonecards On-Line - Written by Alan H. Cohen

March 1, 1998


Issue 117


Phonecards On-Line is Published by Alan Cohen


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News and Views

Wayne Gretzky Phonecard

MARKHAM, ONTARIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 1998-- Valu-net Corporation (Alberta Stock Exchange:VNE.) David Lucatch, President and CEO of Valu-net Corporation ("Valu-net"), announced that Valu-net, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, Team Canada and Dentsu Inc. of Japan, an International Communications firm, have initiated a Japanese phone card program bearing the images of NHL Superstar, Wayne Gretzky.

Under the terms of the Agreement and to coincide with hockey events during the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, Valu-net supplied Dentsu Inc. with images of Wayne Gretzky which were used to manufacture Prepaid Phone Cards, exclusively for the Japanese market. The initial production run was limited to 999 two (2) card sets. One card depicts Wayne Gretzky in his Team Canada uniform, while the other shows him wearing his New York Rangers uniform. A further 99 promotional sets will also be produced. Dentsu Inc., who is responsible for all marketing activities in Japan, have indicated that, given the strong demand for these cards, they expect all the sets to be completely sold out before the end of February, 1998.

David Lucatch, President and CEO of Valu-net Corporation stated; "This introductory offer of Wayne Gretzky Phone Cards to the Japanese marketplace opens the doors to future business opportunities with the National Hockey League, particularly in the area of international marketing of products and services. The scale of this undertaking and the speed with which it was accomplished, is a testament to the high degree of cooperation we received from all concerned."

Visa Cash Newsletter

By COM-GAL, LTD (com-gal@cowland.com)

Visa Cash Collectables

Online Newsletter

February 22, 1998

As one of the largest dealers in the US in Visa Cash and other Stored Value Card Collectables, COM-GAL, LTD. is proud to present the first Online Newsletter devoted to news and tips for this rapidly growing collectables field.

NATIONSBANK: There are reportedly two new Nationsbank cards on sale at the bank's Norfolk, Virginia Headquarters building. A $10 card featuring Alexander Hamilton and a computer technology design along with a $20 Norfolk Skyline card are available in a Card Dispensing Machine in the HQ lobby. The Tampa and New York Veterans Canteen Services, patient and staff cards are still proving difficult to locate. The Tampa Palm Tree design, may be available in both a reloadable and $2 fixed denomination disposable. More soon.

CARIPLO, S.p.A.: Cariplo Bank in Italy has begun releasing its second series of Visa Cash cards. The first card in the series is a 50,000lire card with a blue background and a skier #11 with a gold skisuit. There were 6,000 of this card issued for the Bormio Stagione Invernale 97-98. These Cariplo 'Moneta Contante' Visa Cash expire 4/98. Up to eight more cards will be issued in this second series later this month. We will have examples of this card in stock this week. Watch for email details.

CITIBANK, N.A.: Heard through the grapevine...Citibank may issue a set of Visa Cash cards in conjunction with the New York, Museum of Natural History. A second series of Citibank Visa Cash is considered imminent, reports have the Musician cards set still on sale in NYC, although getting very sparse. The elusive $5 Ansonia Condominium "Sax Player" card is still much in demand, with prices low compared to the Citibank Taiwan $NT150 (US $4.49) Complimentrary Card. Those cards continue to bring in excess of US$150 on the international market, with the same number issued as the NYC Comp, 1,000 pieces, go figure.

VISA HQ: Three new cards were spotted in the Card Dispensing Machine at Visa Headquarters in San Francisco. All are $20 denominated cards. One is a modernistic starburst design, identical to the new Special Edition reloadable version. Another has the National Football League NFL logo, the third card carrying a money theme, described similar to the Citibank Money Card, only its a sea green card with a faint image of a US$20 note and a $1 note, quarter dollar and nickel coins. These cards are on sale in a CDM (Card Dispensing Machine) outside of security clearance in the lobby of Visa HQ.

CITIZEN CARDS: The City of Palma de Mallorca in Spain, held a press conference recently announcing plans to issue "City Citizen Cards" to residents of Mallorca. These "ID" cards would also be Visa Cash cards, likely on La Caixa Bank. Spain has several Universities issuing student ID cards with La Caixa Bank Visa enhancements, including Balears Island University. Watch for more uses of Visa Cash on ID cards in the future.

FIRST UNION: The two new First Union NASCAR cards are out, too bad First Union car #46 and Wally Dallenbach didnt qualify for Dayotona last weekend. First has also issued another card for the Charlotte Hornets, its a $20 card, and hasnt surfaced yet. Reports are there is a $10 First Union Hornets card issued in Charlotte, NC also. This makes three cards for the Charlotte Hornets including the Glen Rice $20 card. Will have more on these cards soon.

Phone Card Chat Room

A new phonecard chat area has opened up on the internet. It is an IRC channel that is web based. The URL is:

http://www.cometinc.com/chat.htm It has become the official chat room of The Card Mall. Look for weekly conferences in the near future.

JC Penney / Michael Jordan

JC Penny is offering an enteresting promotion in the perfume section. You can purchase the new Michael Jordon spray Cologne for men and inside the package are two 5 minute phone cards. This is a plastic box and the phone cards are very visible. The phone are from World Com. You also get a free mini basketball (packaged separately) with your purchase. The price of the cologne is on sale for $23. There is a sample tester in the store so you can try the prodoct before you buy it. This is also available at FootLocker stores. (however, they are not giving away the mini basketball) There are three set of cards to choice from. You would have to buy 3 boxes of the cologne to get all 6 of the cards. You can easily see which two cards are in the packages.

From: Janice Cohen

Colavita Phonecard

I found this hangtag info on Colavita Balsamic Vinegar. It appears the card may have a colorful picture of a red cable car with VISA card on the end of it. The background is SanFrancisco bldgs. and the Golden Gate bridge, blue sky and white clouds. This picture along with the bottles of vinegar and olive oil are on the front of the hangtag. These products cost over $6 each, I believe.

To receive your San Francisco Collectible phone card buy:

Send the cash register receipts as proofs-of-purchase, along with your name and address to:

COLAVITA USA
PO Box 402
Riverton, NJ 08077

Photocopies and other repros will not be accepted. Allow 6 to 8 weeks for shipment. Offer good only in continental US. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Offer expires 12/31/98

From: Janice Cooper

Until Next Week,

Alan

Distribution

Phonecards On-Line is written and distributed by Alan Cohen. It is a weekly newsletter devoted to phonecards - Current news, viewpoints, and reviews of new issues. It is distributed free of charge, and available two ways.

1) On-Line on the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.cardmall.com - All back issues are archived at the web site!

2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com

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