Western Union World of Betters Enables Consumers to Make Someone’s Day Better

Alicia Keys Encourages Fans to Vote and Bring “Better” Ideas to Life

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--()--The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a leader in global payment services, continued to capture global ideas for World of Betters, which asks consumers how they would make the world a better place. International recording artist Alicia Keys kicked off the campaign Nov. 1 to encourage fans to participate and vote in the online contest as part of the company’s latest global platform, “Moving Money for Better.”

Victoria López-Negrete, Senior Vice President and General Manager, North America, Western Union said, “Western Union World of Betters gets people around the globe to think of how they can give back to their communities. As part of “Moving Money for Better,” the Western Union World of Betters website has already received numerous submissions that showcase the many ways people can help others have a better day and a better life – everything from sending relief support to the earthquake victims in Haiti to paying for school fees for children in Ghana.”

To participate in the Western Union® World of Betters online interactive experience, eligible participants should visit www.worldofbetters.com where they can share how they would use $1,000 to make the world a better place. Public voting will determine the top 500 entries from which a judging panel will select 100 ideas, and the winners will receive the equivalent of US $1,000 that they can use to bring their idea to life. The Western Union World of Betters contest runs through Dec. 15, 2011.

Throughout the contest, other renowned artists will join Alicia’s efforts by broadening the campaign’s reach. K’Naan and Sunidhi Chauhan will host events in Mumbai, India and Johannesburg, South Africa, with other celebrities and dates to be announced globally and livestreamed on www.worldofbetters.com. The celebrity team will also activate social media throughout the campaign.

Western Union World of Betters is one program of many that aligns under “Moving Money for Better” branding concepts, focused on Western Union® products and services as solutions to create ‘moments of better’. While sustaining the company’s 160-year history of innovation and helping people improve lives, the new branding elements depict visual timelines that invite consumers to be a part of the worldwide campaign.

To participate in Western Union, “World of Betters” and tune in live to the events, consumers can visit www.worldofbetters.com.

How to Enter:

Eligible participants should visit www.worldofbetters.com and upload their entry of no more than 100 words describing how they would use US$1,000 to make the world a better place. Participants are then encouraged to tell their family and friends to view their story and vote on the website. Public voting will determine 500 entries from which a judging panel will select 100 Western Union World of Betters ideas, and winners will receive the equivalent of US$1,000 cash that they can use to bring their idea to life. Those entering the contest should submit their entries by 11:59:59 p.m. GMT on Dec. 15, 2011.

To learn more and submit an entry, visit www.worldofbetters.com, click on the enter button to complete the registration form and follow the instructions on how to submit the entry. The site is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, with some pages available in Russian and Arabic. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Entry is subject to the Official Rules available at www.worldofbetters.com. Void where prohibited by law.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. The Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services are offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2010, The Western Union Company completed 214 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $76 billion of principal between consumers, and 405 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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Contacts

Western Union
Dan Díaz, + 1 303-547-2347
daniel.diaz@westernunion.com
or
L’Teisha Ryan, +1 303-478-9029
lteisha.ryan@westernunion.com

Release Summary

Western Union captures global ideas for World of Betters and engages consumers in making the world a better place.

Contacts

Western Union
Dan Díaz, + 1 303-547-2347
daniel.diaz@westernunion.com
or
L’Teisha Ryan, +1 303-478-9029
lteisha.ryan@westernunion.com