Publication: Brandweek
New York American Express and MovieFone last week inked a “long term” marketing deal to promote telephone and Internet ticketing for films. Amex becomes a national sponsor of MovieFone and it’s online counterpart MovieLink.com; the companies will create a program to reward Amex credit card users. Available in 32 cities, MovieFone will promote American Express to phone users, and in promotions and advertising.
New York, July 22, 1998 American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) and MovieFone, Inc. (NASDAQ NM:MOFN), the nation’s largest movie listing guide and ticketing service, today announced a new long-term marketing partnership to promote telephone and Internet ticketing for movies. Under the new agreement, American Express will become a national sponsor of MovieFone and its online sister service MovieLink.com, and the companies will work together on and jointly fund new marketing programs designed to reward moviegoers when they use the American Express Card to buy tickets through these services. The new program is expected to accelerate the already rapid increase in electronic ticket sales for movies and other events, via the telephone and the Internet.
“American Express is the perfect partner for MovieFone, since they share our commitment to movies, and to building a powerful brand through innovation”, said Andrew Jarecki, MovieFone CEO. “We look forward to expanding our longstanding partnership and initiating new programs that make moviegoing more appealing for consumers”.
“American Express has always been the credit card of choice for the entertainment-oriented consumer, and we believe that there is great potential in increasing usage by moviegoers,” said Lloyd M. Wirshbla, Vice President & General Manager, Restaurant and Entertainment Industries, American Express Company.
Jim Erlick, President of J. M. Erlick, Inc., was MovieFone’s consultant on the partnership. Erlick has fourteen years of corporate marketing experience.
