MASTERCARD AND EXCITE FORM MARKETING ALLIANCE
By Adnews Staff
MasterCard has been made the preferred payment method for consumers shopping online at Excite.ca thanks to a co-marketing alliance between MasterCard Canada and Excite Canada, both of Toronto. A promotion called "RAKE IT Instantly" began yesterday to promote the partnership. Consumers who use a MasterCard at a participating partner location including Canadian Tire, Loblaws, Music World, The Brick and The Sony Store will automatically be entered to win prizes such as free groceries for a year, a Sony projection TV and a $2,500 Canadian Tire shopping spree. Consumers can also enter online at <http://www.mastercard.ca/rakeitinstantly/excite>. Instant scratch and win coupons will also be distributed in participating MasterCard issuer statements. Sixty-second radio spots will support the contest. Created by Armstrong Partnership of Toronto, which also developed the "RAKE IT Instantly" promotion, the spots will run in major Canadian markets beginning in September. Participating MasterCard member issuers will also support the promotion online and with statement inserts. MasterCard and Excite will develop additional initiatives in the future, such as MasterCard Exclusive offers for Excite.ca. Media buying for MasterCard is done by AOR Media of Toronto. Public relations are handled by Goodman Communications of Toronto.