Burbank, Calif., April 30, 2003 -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Mastercard (Maestro) South Africa, in conjunction with its leading member, Standard Bank, are launching a new bank package catering to the youth market of South Africa, called (sum)1 - pronounced "someone." The trendy, branded debit cards will feature legendary and well-loved cartoon characters including DC Comics' Batman and Superman, the Looney Tunes' Tweety and Taz and Cartoons Network's The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy and Cow and Chicken.
"We are excited about bringing our world renowned characters into the realm of branded bank cards for the younger generation," said Mark Matheny, Executive Vice President, International, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "The alliance with Mastercard South Africa allows us to further widen the reach of our brands throughout the international arena."
(Sum)1 is the first youth banking product to carry the Maestro logo and will give MasterCard the opportunity to educate and drive young audiences to begin using debit card facilities. Offering its customers benefits including discount vouchers on competitive events, as well as on magazines, the new bankcard allows consumers to buy goods and services from over 80,000 merchants in South Africa.
"We hope the use of these new cards featuring Warner Bros. Consumer Products' beloved characters will instill brand loyalty and help make Maestro the debit card for a younger group of individuals," said Eddie Grobler, senior vice president, Mastercard South Africa. "Debit cards have taken off in South Africa in the past two years with those over the age of 25. We feel these innovative, branded bank cards might be just what younger consumers need to be compelled to use them."
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
LOONEY TUNES, characters, names and all related indicia are trademarks of and (c) Warner Bros. BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. THE POWERPUFF GIRLS and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) Cartoon Network. COW AND CHICKEN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) Cartoon Network. Ed, Edd N Eddy and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) Cartoon Network.
