Universal Studios Forges Exclusive, Long Term Marketing and Financial Services Partnership With GE Money and American Express

Universal Studios Forges Exclusive, Long Term Marketing and Financial Services Partnership With GE Money and American Express

Comprehensive Partnership Includes Launch of New Universal American Express Card Issued by GE Money; Co-Marketing Across Universal's Motion Picture and Theme Park Groups

STAMFORD, Conn., NEW YORK and UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Worldwide media and entertainment company Universal Studios has entered into a multi-year marketing and financial services alliance with GE Money, the consumer lending unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), and American Express (NYSE:AXP). By joining forces, American Express becomes the official payment of choice at Universal Studios Theme Parks Resorts; GE Money becomes the Parks' official financial services sponsor; and the companies launch the new Universal American Express(R) Card issued by GE Money. Stephanie Sperber, executive vice president, Universal Studios Partnerships made the announcement today.

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Qualified applicants can receive their new Card within minutes by visiting GE Money Access Centers at Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. This innovative technology is unique to the GE Money-Universal-American Express partnership and is currently available only at Universal Parks & Resorts properties in the U.S. New Cardmembers receive valuable offers the day they sign up. This may include discounts on select merchandise and restaurants throughout Universal Parks and CityWalk, plus exciting premiums such as front of line attraction admittance or exclusive VIP access at Universal Parks and other special events.

The newly-launched Universal American Express Card issued by GE Money, is issued exclusively on the American Express network and provides one of the broadest and most robust entertainment rewards programs in the industry. Cardmembers of this unique co-branded credit card can earn Universal Rewards points towards valuable redemption opportunities including Universal movie premieres, private screenings, theme park tickets, Universal Studios VIP tours, special vacation packages and cash rewards. Cardmembers also earn double points on qualifying purchases within Universal Parks and Resorts properties and for every day purchases at stand-alone gas stations and grocery stores.

Through the agreement American Express has the first opportunity to participate in product placement and co-promotion on Universal Pictures and Focus Features' films in the payment services category. GE Money will have a presence at high-profile theme park attractions including Jurassic Park and Twister, with American Express named the exclusive sponsor of the VIP Tour. The partnership also sets the stage for ongoing offers and promotions for anyone holding an American Express Card, ranging from discounts at the park to special once-in-a-lifetime entertainment experiences.

"With this partnership we are maximizing the assets of three great brands: American Express, one of the world's premier payment card companies, GE Money, an internationally renowned financial services provider, and Universal Studios, a leading media and destination-based entertainment company," said Stephanie Sperber, executive vice president, Universal Studios Partnerships. "The nature of this alliance provides Universal with an endless range of potential marketing opportunities, of which the consumer is the ultimate beneficiary."

"We are delighted to deepen our relationship with GE Money and begin a new partnership with Universal," said Robert Glick, corporate spokesperson, American Express. "Through this new Card and sponsorship, we're able to open up new opportunities for all American Express Cardmembers to experience unprecedented access to amazing entertainment experiences."

"GE Money is very pleased to partner with Universal and American Express as the official issuer of this exciting card program. The card provides a wide variety of ways to earn points for use at many popular Universal venues and events," said Margaret Keane, president and CEO of GE Money's Retail Consumer Finance unit in Stamford, Conn. "We're very optimistic that the Universal American Express Card from GE Money will become the sought after payment product among consumers interested in leveraging their everyday purchases toward exciting entertainment rewards."

To learn more about the program, go to http://www.myuniversalcard.com/.

Universal Studios Partnerships oversees strategic corporate alliances and all theatrical and home entertainment promotions for Universal.

About Universal Studios

Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.

About GE Money

With more than $200 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company, (NYSE:GE) is a leading provider of retail banking and credit services to consumers, auto dealers and retailers in more than 50 countries around the world. With more than 130 million global customers, GE Money, based in London, UK, offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, debt consolidation and home equity loans, and credit insurance. More information can be found at http://global.gemoney.com/.

About American Express

American Express is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. Merchant Services is the merchant network of American Express, which acquires and maintains relationships with millions of merchants around the globe, which welcome American Express-branded Cards. Since 1996 American Express has been aggressively pursuing a strategy of opening its merchant network and card product portfolio to third party issuers around the world. By leveraging its global infrastructure and the powerful appeal of the brand, American Express has gained even broader reach for its network worldwide. American Express has now established more than 115 card-issuing partnership arrangements in 125 markets.

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Source: Universal Studios Partnerships

CONTACT: Sarah Meron of American Express, +1-212-340-5503,
sarah.b.meron@aexp.com; or Dori Abel of GE Money, +1-203-585-6702,
dori.abel@ge.com; or Melissa Zukerman of Universal Studios Partnerships,
+1-323-658-1555, melissa@pcommgroup.com

Web site:

http://www.myuniversalcard.com/
http://global.gemoney.com/

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