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American Express promotes their Holiday Gift Cards on Twitter and gives back via United Way

By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna's Promo Talk

There's now only nine days left till Christmas and I've only had the chance to blog about a few of the great holiday promotions some brands are doing this year. I've especially been writing about those that I define as a Social Sweeps promotion which is an interactive promotion that integrates with at least one form of social media.

Well here's a pretty cool one that American Express launched at the beginning of December to help promote their new Gift Cards as the perfect gift this holiday season. Their ’Twis the Season Twitter promotion @americanexpress asked followers to tweet about any holiday gift they want, up to a $100 value, using the following format: Hey @americanexpress. I have _________ on my holiday list. Pick me! #amexgiftcard.

AmExTwitter

On each business day through yesterday, December 15, American Express randomly selected three participants who received a $100 American Express Gift Card.

American Express also launched a online interactive game called Winter Wonder-Win that runs now through January 30. Visitors must first register using an e-mail address and then they can play the game in which they use a digital ice scraper to clear off nine panes in a window. If they uncover three of the same Amex gift cards in a row, they can win a $25, $50 or $100 gift card instantly.

Amex_Winter_GameBoth promotions are hoping to educate consumers on the fact that they’ve now made their Gift Cards even better with no monthly fees and with funds that never expire. Do you remember some of the bad press associated with gift cards because some where no longer good after a certain time period and had huge fees associated with them?

American Express is also giving back this holiday season and has teamed up with the United Way to provide the United Way Gift Card. For each card purchased, American Express will donate the $3.95 purchase charge to support United Way’s work. American Express is just one of United Way's national partners that is working together to create more innovative opportunities to support local communities during the holiday season, especially given the economy.

Another United Way partner is Target whose stores across the country are donating 3,400 decorated holiday trees, estimated at $1.7 million, through the Target Share-a-Tree Program—now in its 19th consecutive year. United Way volunteers will distribute the trees to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. 

So if you still have some holiday shopping to do (like me) consider American Express gift cards, or better yet the United Way Gift Card, for those on your list that you don't know what to get them. Don't forget to visit your local Target store as well.

By the way, I have no association with any of these brands, but I do have an American Express credit card which I am happy to say has not increased my interest rate like my MasterCard bank has! Happy Holidays everyone.

Comments

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Amanda

Thanks for mentioning these ideas; always good to see companies doing something to help others with United Way, etc.

jason

sounds like a new good way for companies to promote.

chris

what a fabulous idea by american express! united way is a very worthy cause.

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