The Prepaid Press - March 2009 - (Page 3)

March 15 · 2009 - 3 IN THIS ISSUE THE PREPAID PRESS ISSN 1934-5313 20533 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 1142 Aventura, FL 33180 toll free: 866.203.2334 direct: ph: 305.421.7209 fax: 305.675.6432 info@prepaid-press.com www.prepaid-press.com PREPAID BUSINESS 5 Minutes With Brooks Smith, CEO of InComm Page 7 Brooks Smith used his experience as a POSA pioneer to create a network that connects leading prepaid product providers with the world’s largest retailers. This unique focus has enabled InComm to not only survive the economic crisis, but to thrive as a result. How can that be? Smith offers his thoughts. SALES DEPARTMENT Linda Simon NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER lsimon@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334 ext. 512 Brad Simon MAJOR ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR bsimon@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334 ext. 513 PREPAID TELECOM The State of Prepaid Technology: Becoming a Virtual Operator Page 12 VoIP Pro, Ken Osowski, gets us up to speed on the benefits of going virtual, and what to look for in a hosted services provider. Learn how it works, what you need, and more importantly, how to analyze your data for maximum profitability. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT NEWS & STORY IDEAS editor@prepaid-press.com Gene Retske CONTRIBUTING EDITOR gretske@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334, ext: 502 Rivka Gewirtz Little CONTRIBUTING EDITOR rlittle@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334, ext: 507 Robin Tobias PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER rtobias@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334, ext: 503 PAYMENTS & PROCESSING Jobless Benefit Debit Card Usage Debated Page 16 Just how prevalent is the prepaid debit card in the world of government driven benefits? VERY -- and growing by the minute. Check out which states are implementing these programs, and the progress of new conversions. GIFT CARDS & PROMOTIONS Prepaid Consumer and Employee/Partner Incentives Page 18 Mercator Advisory Group has just released a new report on the growth of incentives on the prepaid debit card, and we have the full scoop. Brent Watters, Principal Analyst, and Author of the report, gives us an overview on the current state of this market, and where it is headed. A must read for anyone in the financial services sector. tppEXPO’09 Lisa Brown EVENT DIRECTOR lbrown@prepaidpressexpo.com 866.203.2334, ext. 505 ART DEPARTMENT José Scaglione CREATIVE DIRECTOR jscaglione@prepaid-press.com 866.203.2334, ext: 504 ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT Patti Hasner phasner@prepaid-press.com PREPAID BUSINESS 4 6 The Retske Report: A Disconnect in Connecticut Regulatory Rundown PAYMENTS & PROCESSING 16 16 16 17 17 LEGAL & REGULATORY EDITOR Edward Maldonado eam@maldonado-group.com ph: 305.468.1645 PREPAID TELECOM 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 13 14 15 InsurCard Provides Catastrophic Relief Solution Metavante, Monitise Americas Launch Text Banking TransCard Provides Personal Financial Management Walmart to Help Americans Manage Finances Payments and Processing in Brief CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Arlene Hauben Ed Maldonado Jonathan Marashlian Joe Pawlikowski Ingrid Ricks Brent Watters EDITORIAL BOARD Paul Amick Len Bittner Lori Breitzke Ron Contrado Paris Holt Ray Horak Nichole Janner Ed Maldonado Ken Osowski Jonathan Price Judy Reed Smith Gary Rhodus Paul Sorota Lisa Stanton Mark Wagner TracFone Launches SafeLink Wireless in NY iPayStation Enables International Top-Up Comverse Launches Next-Generation IMS Solution Prepaid Companies Agree to Pay $2.25 Million Prepaid Telecom in Brief Boost Mobile Reintroduces Itself Virgin Mobile Announces New Branding Campaign Prepaid Wireless Roundup New Prepaid Calling Plans from Verizon Wireless The Legal Line GIFT CARDS & PROMOTIONS 19 19 19 20 21 21 21 21 21 21 22 CashStar Launches Interactive Gift Card Platform VIPGift Continues Sales Expansion Pentagon Installs Unique Card Personalization Line Digital Promotions Grow in Popularity The Ultimate Gift Card Network Retail Sales Show Unexpected Rebound Smart Transaction Systems Selects Hypercom GiftCards.com Acquires Swapagift.com InComm Gaming Opportunities on the Rise VCT Adds Equipment to New Jersey Facility Gift Cards and Promotions in Brief EXTRAS 22 Our Advertisers 22 Contact Us http://www.prepaid-press.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Prepaid Press - March 2009

The Prepaid Press - March 2009 Contents The Retske Report: A Disconnect in Connecticut Regulatory Rundown 5 Minutes With Brooks Smith, CEO of InComm TracFone Launches SafeLink Wireless in NY iPayStation Enables International Top-Up Comverse Launches Next-Generation IMS Solution Prepaid Companies Agree to Pay $2.25 Million Prepaid Telecom in Brief Boost Mobile Reintroduces Itself Virgin Mobile Announces New Branding Campaign The State of Prepaid Technology: Becoming a Virtual Operator Prepaid Wireless Roundup New Prepaid Calling Plans from Verizon Wireless The Legal Line Jobless Benefit Debit Card Usage Debated InsurCard Provides Catastrophic Relief Solution Metavante, Monitise Americas Launch Text Banking TransCard Provides Personal Financial Management Walmart to Help Americans Manage Finances Payments and Processing in Brief Prepaid Consumer and Employee/Partner Incentives CashStar Launches Interactive Gift Card Platform VIPGift Continues Sales Expansion Pentagon Installs Unique Card Personalization Line Digital Promotions Grow in Popularity The Ultimate Gift Card Network Retail Sales Show Unexpected Rebound Smart Transaction Systems Selects Hypercom GiftCards.com Acquires Swapagift.com InComm Gaming Opportunities on the Rise VCT Adds Equipment to New Jersey Facility Gift Cards and Promotions in Brief Our Advertisers Contact Us

The Prepaid Press - March 2009

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