AMERICAN EXPRESS OPENS FOR BUSINESS
By Adnews Staff
American Express Canada Inc. of Markham, Ontario has introduced a new program for mid-sized businesses called the Mid-Market Program. The card and travel company introduced the program to help mid-sized companies gain control of business and travel costs. A national print campaign that began running last week and a direct-mail component are being used to advertise the new program. Mid-sized companies are defined as having between 20 and 100 travellers with annual travel and entertainment costs of $200,000 to $1 million. The new program is intended to help mid-sized companies find savings many Fortune 500 companies get through negotiated programs with airlines and hotels. The Mid-Market Program aims to give mid-sized companies the same access to preferred pricing for air, hotel and car rental rates that many big companies get. American Express is also developing a range of travel management products and services specifically designed to give mid-sized companies the same level of control over expenses as big companies. Part of the new program includes on-line interactive booking. Business travellers can access Amex's preferred airfares, rental car and hotel rates through their computers. Advertising for American Express is done by Ogilvy & Mather of Toronto.