Dallas — July 1, 2008 — Alliance Data Systems
Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of loyalty and marketing
solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced that its
Epsilon business has signed a multi-year agreement with Washington,
D.C., based National Geographic Society. Under terms of the extension
agreement, Epsilon will continue to host and manage National
Geographic's permission-based email communications platform through
2011. Epsilon also provides database services for The National
Geographic Society, which has been a client of Epsilon's since 1997.
National Geographic is a long-standing American icon, known for its
legendary photographs, maps, and scientific exploration and research.
Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the
nonprofit Society works to inspire people to care about the planet.
Today, The National Geographic Society reaches more than 350 million
people each month through its six magazines, the National Geographic
Channel, television documentaries, radio programs, films, books, DVDs,
maps and interactive media.
Epsilon, a leading provider of multi-channel, data-driven marketing
technologies and services, will continue supporting National
Geographic's direct marketing efforts by delivering relevant
permission-based email communications. The Epsilon solution provides
the Society with a holistic view of all its members, customers and
prospects. This complete insight allows the Society to design and
execute targeted marketing initiatives that increase brand equity and
cultivate more profitable, loyal customer relationships.
Lauren Skena, Manager of National Geographic Society's email
marketing program, said "We value the long-standing relationship we
have had with Epsilon because of their commitment to helping us develop
an exceptional customer experience without losing sight of our need to
continually improve results and increase our ROI."
"Over the years we have developed a successful partnership with
National Geographic by supporting their broader marketing and customer
engagement goals through the development and deployment of relevant and
timely marketing communications," said Michael Iaccarino, president of
Epsilon and Alliance Data Marketing Services. "We look forward to
helping National Geographic maximize marketing performance, deepen
customer relationships, and achieve unprecedented ROI."
About Epsilon
Epsilon is the industry's leading marketing services firm. Ad Age
ranks Epsilon #1 U.S. Marketing Services Firm and #1 U.S. Direct
Marketing Agency. Services include strategic consulting, database and
loyalty technology, proprietary data, predictive modeling and a full
range of creative and interactive services including brand and
promotional development, web design, email deployment, search engine
optimization and direct mail production. In addition, Epsilon is the
world's largest permission-based email marketer. Epsilon is an Alliance
Data company. For more information, visit www.epsilon.com or call 1.800.309.0505.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of marketing,
loyalty and transaction services, managing over 120 million consumer
relationships for some of North America's most recognizable companies.
Using transaction-rich data, Alliance Data creates and manages
customized solutions that change consumer behavior and that enable its
clients to create and enhance customer loyalty to build stronger,
mutually beneficial relationships with their customers. Headquartered
in Dallas, Alliance Data employs over 9,000 associates at more than 60
locations worldwide. Alliance Data's brands include AIR MILES, North
America's premier coalition loyalty program, and Epsilon, a leading
provider of multi-channel, data-driven technologies and marketing
services. For more information about the company, visit its website, www.AllianceData.com.
Alliance Data's Safe Harbor Statement/Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such
statements may use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate,"
"expect," "intend," "predict," "project" and similar expressions as
they relate to us or our management. When we make forward-looking
statements, we are basing them on our management's beliefs and
assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although we
believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject
to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed in
our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize,
or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results
may vary materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking
statements contained in this presentation reflect our current views
with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks,
uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of
operations, growth strategy and liquidity. These risks, uncertainties
and assumptions include those made with respect to and any developments
related to the termination of the proposed merger with an affiliate of
The Blackstone Group, including risks and uncertainties arising from
actions that the parties to the merger agreement may take in connection
therewith. We have no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future results or otherwise.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this presentation regarding Alliance
Data Systems Corporation's business which are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For
a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year. Risk factors may be
updated in Item 1A in each of the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for each quarterly period subsequent to the Company's most recent
Form 10-K.
# # #