Payment Data Systems Nabs Carmen Electra License & Endorsement of Celebrity Prepaid Debit and Gift Cards
September 07 2005 - 4:01PM
PR Newswire (US)
Company Expands Into Consumer Markets SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 7
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- There's no doubt about it. With nearly
1.5 billion in circulation last year, prepaid debit cards are here
to stay. Payment Data Systems, Inc. (OTC:PYDS) (BULLETIN BOARD:
PYDS) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with
Carmen Electra that grants the company the exclusive marketing and
distribution rights of Carmen Electra- branded transaction cards.
The versatile Carmen Electra is a singer, actress, dancer, and
savvy businesswoman. Her current projects include being the
celebrity spokesperson for Max Factor cosmetics and a role in 20th
Century Fox's Cheaper by the Dozen 2. Last year, Ms. Electra
released a DVD series called "Aerobic Striptease" in which she
teaches low impact total-body workout exercises; the series
launched a new fitness craze. Signing an agreement with Payment
Data Systems is another indication of her intuition and keen
business sense. "The Carmen Electra cards give me another way to
connect with my fans while providing them the ability to enjoy the
convenience of shopping or paying bills with ease -- online and
offline," said Ms. Electra. "Payment Data Systems is the perfect
partner for me because of the capabilities the company already has
in place." In an increasingly electronic world, an estimated 70 to
100 million credit-challenged consumers in the United States are
turning to prepaid debit cards for online and offline transactions
alike. Credit-challenged Americans include students, low-income
persons, and new immigrants. "Prepaid debit and gift cards enable
anyone to transact online, offline, and by telephone," said Michael
Long, chairman and CEO of Payment Data Systems. "Prepaid cards are
a perfect complement to Bills.com, our online bill payment
property. The agreement with Carmen Electra -- given her fan base
and natural appeal to a significant percentage of our target
consumers is a coup for us." PDS is currently in discussions with a
number of other major celebrities who appeal to the company's
various demographic targets. "The Carmen Electra agreement is just
the beginning of a series of moves in preparation for our expansion
into lucrative consumer markets," said Louis Hoch, President. "The
time is right for us to leverage not only our payment processing
capacity but also our Bills.com property." About Payment Data
Systems, Inc. Payment Data Systems, Inc. is an Integrated Payments
Solution Provider delivering comprehensive, cost-effective
electronic billing and payment solutions. Service offerings include
payment processing over the Internet, at point of sale, by customer
service representatives and by Interactive Voice Response. One time
and recurring ACH debits and credits, electronic lockbox and return
check services, and web pay acceptance of credit cards and checks
round out core services. The company further enables comprehensive
tracking and reporting regardless of source or channel through
automated, consolidated payment receipt systems. The company also
owns http://www.bills.com/ , where consumers may make electronic
payments to thousands of national companies and manage their
electronic funds transfers. For additional information, visit
http://www.paymentdata.com/ . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this release include certain forward-looking
statements, which are intended to be covered by safe harbors. Those
statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements
regarding our and management's intent, belief and expectations,
such as statements concerning our future and our operating and
growth strategy. Investors are cautioned that all forward- looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without
limitation, the factors detailed from time to time in our filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. One or more of these
factors have affected, and in the future could affect, our
businesses and financial results in the future and could cause
actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. We
believe that the assumptions underlying the forward- looking
statements included in this release will prove to be accurate. In
light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the
forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such
information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any
other person that our objectives and plans will be achieved. All
forward-looking statements made in this release are based on
information presently available to our management. We assume no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as
required by law. Payment Data's Media Contact: Myrna Nickelsen Gear
Seven Communications (510) 236-8505 Investor Relations Contact:
Michael Long Chairman and CEO Payment Data Systems, Inc. (210)
249-4040 Carmen Electra's Media Contacts: Jill Fritzo PMK/HBH-NY
(212) 373-6142 Brit Reece PMH/HBH-LA (310) 289-6200 DATASOURCE:
Payment Data Systems, Inc. CONTACT: media, Myrna Nickelsen of Gear
Seven Communications, +1-510-236-8505, or , for Payment Data
Systems, Inc.; or investor relations, Michael Long, Chairman and
CEO of Payment Data Systems, Inc., +1-210-249-4040, or ; or Jill
Fritzo of PMK-HBH-NY, +1-212-373-6142, or ; or Brit Reece of
PMH-HBH-LA, +1-310-289-6200, or , both for Carmen Electra Web site:
http://www.paymentdata.com/ http://www.bills.com/
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