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Bill Clinton Phonecards (all issued before Starr investigations) Important and interesting phonecards issued well before the Ken Starr investigation of Bill Clinton's affairs are still available. In view of the latest developments in the congressional proceedings, these phonecards are now taking on a more historical significance. In 1993 Sprint issued a two 10 unit cards set poking fun at President Clinton and German Chancellor Helmuth Kohl. Full color caricatures depict both leaders on a red telephone. This set is available a 15.95 postpaid in the original folder. Canada's Bravo Technologies issued a $10.00 commemorative phonecard for the Vancouver Summit Meeting of April, 1993. This Landis & Gyr card, using British Columbia Tel Phones, features a color picture of Pres. Clinton and
Boris Yeltsin. This card is available for $8.95 postpaid. A commemorative 5 unit phonecard was issued by British Telecom for Bill Clinton's visit to the Berlin Wall while campaigning for the presidency. The card pictures Bill Clinton speaking in Berlin while standing besides
the bust of JFK. This card is available for $7.95 postpaid. You can buy all three items from us basis $27.00 postpaid These and many other rare and interesting telephone cards are available from our extensive inventory by mail order (send for free catalog). Powell
Associates has been in business and dealing in collectible phonecards since 1992. We recently moved our offices from Manhattan to Morganville, New Jersey. All major credit cards are accepted. Powell Associates Tel 732-332-9093 Fax 732-332-9094 Email - luisvigdor@compuserve.com Internet - http://www.powellpm.com
Scoreboard had been the center of controversy for many years. They are credited with ruining thematic collecting of Coke and McDonalds cards. Additionally, other problems with the company were unrealistically high $1 per minute rates, overproduced cards (despite announced production runs) and cards that always were worth less after their release. Not a single one of their issues were worth as much 6 months after release.
The biggest story of the year has to be Moneycard Collector Magazine folding. They started 1998 as a glossy monthly magazine, and soon switched to a tabloid format. Then came the announcement that they would cease to be a standalone, and that they would be incorporated into Coin World Magazine, with a web site as well. Just a few weeks ago came the news that they would cease altogether. Their absence will be felt by many.
There is no doubt that 1998 was a difficult year for this hobby. However, there are a few bright spots which will make a difference to the future of this hobby. The first is the expansion on the internet of resources for phonecard collectors. The medium makes it feasible for collectors and businesses to continue with a low overhead cost compared to print marketing and advertising. The second bright spot is that the retail end of this hobby continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, and will continue to do so for years to come. This means that more people are issuing cards, and more people are using the cards. With more cards out there, more people will use the cards, and hopefully put them away. This is really what needed to happen a few years ago, when most people on the street in the US had no idea what a phonecard was. There will be fewer collector oriented issues in the near future, with more cards being produced with the intention that they be used by the consumer. This will help weed out companies that suddenly go bankrupt, leaving the consumer with no phone time. The third bright spot is a recent announcement by the US Justice Department that they will be looking into a credit card monopoly by Visa and Master Card. They have stated that these companies control that market, and are holding back developments in the smart card market.
I believe that now is a very good time to be a phonecard collector. It is a worldwide hobby, and although it seems that hard times are upon us here in the US, all signs point to this hobby expanding from its current base. With many issues having a production run of under 5000, and with prices down from a few years ago, I believe that there will be a day we will all be wondering why we did not purchase cards then. A comparable analogy is the baseball card market. In the 1970s, there were a few adult collectors, no really organized hobby in print, and prices that by todays standards look very low. You could purchase a Mickey Mantle rookie card for a few dollars. There arent any more cards out there today, just a more organized hobby and a lot more collectors. That Mantle rookie will set you back many thousands of dollars.
Below are what I consider some of the top stories reported this year in POL. All issues of POL are available for you to view free of charge on the web at:
For further information contact:
Bell Collectors Club
1-800 404-7823
1-416 585-2273
Booth #1037 at FUN Show.
These cards have been "blessed" to imprint them with divine healing energy. The card pictures an angel that has the face of Lilia on it. The angel is Victorian style with a slight turquoise background fading to white with a beautiful black border. It is a Mini-jumbo card that comes with an envelope. There is only 400 individually numbered cards with 5 minutes of uncovered time on it that expires at the end of 1999 and many of the cards are going directly to the center. Contact the Phone Card Connection at lenny@cashcards.com, at http://www.cashcards.com or at 888-850-CARD.
The phone cards will feature the likenesses as well as voices of the `M&M's'' Brand Characters currently featured in the ``M&M's''e advertising. Additionally, IDT will be providing its own distribution channels for the ``M&M's'' cards through its partnership with Union Telecard Alliance, which distributes phone cards to newsstands and grocery stores throughout the United States.
As the leading provider of end-to-end calling card solutions, IDT will handle the entire call process of the phone cards, including call routing, authorization, pre-paid platform and billing of the ``M&M's'' cards.
Ed Miller, Vice President of Corporate Sales for IDT stated, ``The 'M&M's' branded card using the characters' voices allows us to extend our product line with a universally recognized reputation that can differentiate IDT from its competitors. In the rapidly growing market for prepaid telephone services, this agreement provides IDT an immediate and significant advantage. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with 'M&M's'.''
``The agreement with IDT is very exciting because it provides another great opportunity for showcasing the ''M&M's`` Brand to its very important consumers,'' stated Pat D'Amato, M&M/MARS spokesperson. ``The 'M&M's' branded telephone cards build affinity between the 'M&M's' Characters, brand and consumer.''
Red, the Headline Grabbing ``M&M's' Spokescandy had this to say, ``When I heard I was going to be featured on phone cards and consumers will hear my voice when they place a call, I was overwhelmed with the idea. Then I learned I had to share the limelight with the other popular characters, Yellow, Blue and Green. Oh, well that's life!''
Estimated to become a $3.6 billion market by 2001 (up from only $1.3 billion in 1997), the pre-paid disposable phone card market is growing at a rapid pace. IDT is keeping up with the growth, primarily due to its aggressive rates and extensive distribution channels.
Prepaid telephone cards offer consumers an opportunity for substantial savings and convenience when placing domestic and international local and long distance calls. Private label phone cards, in particular, serve as a lucrative promotional item, generating brand name awareness by ensuring that the Company's name is in each customer's wallet at all times. For more information on IDT's promotional and private label prepaid calling services, call 1-800-786-8438.
The University of Canterbury has more than 14,000 full time students plus staff on campus. The University extensively explored the market for an experienced provider of campus card systems with leading-edge technology, and found that the Diebold system provides all its current and future requirements.
``The biggest benefit for Canterbury University is that the Diebold system integrates all of its applications in one identification card,'' said Barbara Paterson, project manager for the University of Canterbury. ``Students will initially use the card for library services, building access, computing and telephones,'' said Paterson. ``Students will reload value onto their cards through a 'bank account' type of system.''
``To access telephones, a student will simply enter his or her personal identification number (PIN) into the phone. The University has a program which automatically determines whether there are sufficient funds on the card for the call,'' she said.
Paterson added that the system incorporates point-of-sale (POS) systems for retail sales and privilege/entitlement verification, on-line vending, laundry and copier systems, and a number of other applications. ``Future applications include access control network authentication, Internet billing, network printing, a link to financial institutions for electronic funds transfer capability and many more applications as required by the university.''
``The system's modular design allows us to implement only those features and functions needed today, and allows for expansion to meet future needs as both functional and fiscal needs dictate. This offers substantial cost efficiencies to the University,'' said Paterson. ``The Diebold system offers much greater functionality than our existing card system.''
Diebold, Incorporated is a leading provider of campus systems to the university market with more than 350 systems installed and 25 years experience in the education sector. Diebold has campus systems installed around the world, including Victoria's Deakin University.
John Deignan, managing director of Diebold Australia said Diebold's card programs have evolved during the past twenty years from simple electronic devices employed to manage and control basic campus meal plans. ``Today's complex, multi-application networked systems are capable of monitoring and controlling thousands of on- and off-campus readers and terminals,'' he said. Stage one implementation is currently underway at Canterbury University, and the system will be on-line by December in readiness for the upcoming 1999 academic year. The library is first to use the system, creating a near cashless environment for students and staff. The university will expand the system to the whole campus as a second phase, commencing in the second quarter of 1999.
From: Steve Eyer
From: Ginnie Katchur
Until Next Time,
Alan
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