Bangkok--Dec 12--Bates (Thailand)
HSBC is creating a new concept in the credit card industry. By joining forces with MasterCard utilising their global expertise and experience that have met with success to develop credit card market in Thailand. The new credit card aggressively debuts on the market by sponsoring the year's biggest film and by drawing in target groups through various special campaigns. Meanwhile, Mongkol Cinema is confident the joint effort will be successful and offer consumers the highest benefit.
Plaza Athenee, Bangkok /As the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd. (HSBC) debuts its new credit card, MasterCard form HSBC - dearly anticipated to become the first credit card for the new generation- the bank is simultaneously creating a new experience for the credit card industry by becoming a major sponsor of the biggest epic film of the year, "The Lord Of The Rings."
Mr Richard M S McHowat, CEO of HSBC Thailand says, "We are offering MasterCard from HSBC as a new option, to accommodate and respond to the many varied groups of consumers, who are differentiated by everything from lifestyles, to like, to specific needs. MasterCard form HSBC will place particular emphasis on the new generation whose lifestyle is overwhelmingly modern, adapting special considerations along the way to provide the customers with the highest level of satisfaction. We have already started introducing MasterCard from HSBC on 29 November through various media and we have enjoyed a favourable response from our target group since its soft launch. This made us confident that joining with the "The Lord Of The Rings" would help create life and vivacity, leading to the very success we had hoped for. "
Ms Soparvan Chantha, HSBC Thailand Manager Credit Cards, further informed that they joined with Mongkol Cinema and became a major sponsor of the film, "The Lord Of The Rings," because of thorough considerations of the target group's interests. MasterCard from HSBC is focused on becoming the first to unveil such originality and individuality in many more varied forms so that it will continue to increase the quality of service to its target group.
"We've chosen to sponsor this great trilogy epic film because many aspects of this film complement HSBC. For example, the legend of the film is as our bank's rich and seasoned history. The grandeur of film is no different from HSBC 's image as a world-renowned financial institution. The delicate and careful attention paid to detailed production in the film reflects the same manner in which our products and services are introduced to our customers. Most importantly, "The Lord Of The Rings" has entered the film industry as a truly significant and grand film, finished into three continuous episodes, each to be shown yearly. MasterCard the credit card market in Thailand by utilising the global expertise, experience and success of HSBC network in conjunction with the potential and strength of MasterCard, currently one of the most highly valued credit cards " according to Ms Soparvan.
At present, MasterCard is the leader in payment industry, boasting around 23,000 members of financial institutions and serving customers in 220 countries and territories around the world. Global acceptance of MasterCard products rose to over 21 million locations in the year 2000 while gross dollar volume exceeded 857 billion. Moreover, the MasterCard/Cirrus ATM network is the world's largest ATM network which enables cardholders to access cash at any of more than 300,000 ATMs worldwide. MasterCard aims to build superior brands and platforms which ensure the highest-quality access to payments anytime, anywhere.
With respect to Mongkol Cinema Co., Ltd., Mr Gilbert Lim - Executive Vice President says, "MasterCard from HSBC major sponsorship of "The Lord of The Rings" represents the first time in Thailand that a credit card has joined efforts with such great film of the year. We planned various events together and closely coordinated all of our efforts, from advertising and public relations, to marketing, to setting up attractive campaigns with other parties. I'm confident that this is an initiative that will bring success to everyone, with consumers receiving the highest benefit."
"The Lord Of The Rings" is a trilogy epic representing the epitome of adventure beyond the imagination, created from a story by J.R.R Tolkien that has sold tremendously well around the world. The followings are some interesting facts and figures about the movie; the total cost of the film amounted to over 200 million U.S. Dollars, 7 years were spent in preparations even before actual filming commenced, 3,000,000 feet of film was used in the filming, and overwhelming interest was displayed as 1,700,000 logged on to website www.lordoftherings.net in the first 24 hours of the website's operation.
In debuting MasterCard from HSBC as a major sponsor of such grand epic film, applicants to the credit card will immediately receive a stylishly designed with special patent "The Lord Of The Rings" complimentary drinking vessel, upon handing in their application and related documents, without having to wait for approval first, at MasterCard from HSBC application booths at participating SF Cinema City theatres and UMG theatres. For further inquiries and applications, please call 0 2351 8080.
Notes to editors:
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding member of the HSBC group (HSBC Holdings plc) which, with more than 6,500 offices in 78 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa and assets in excess of US&692 billion as at 30 June 2001, is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.
HSBC in Thailand
Established in Thailand in 1888, the first bank in the country, HSBC now has a full branch in Bangkok with a total of 650 staff members providing a full range of corporate and personal banking services to the growing customer base.
Media enquiries to Jira Surachettapong on 0 2614 4605-10 End
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