Western
Union association with Shah Rukh Khan’s Chennai Express
celebrates international & domestic consumers’ enduring commitment to send
money home
All
India mass-media campaign rolled-out from mid-July across 10 states
Mumbai, India, 8 August 2013:
Western Union, a leader in global payment services, has signed up yet another
Bollywood production; formalizing an association with Indian film superstar
Shah Rukh Khan’s anticipated 2013 blockbuster - Chennai Express to be released during the Eid holiday.
The storyline of Chennai Express signifies the hardship
the movie hero undertakes against all odds to ultimately win his love. The movie association is pertinent to Western
Union’s own consumers who send money back home to support their families
whether they are overseas non-resident Indians or domestic migrants.
In honour of the holy season of Ramadan
and celebration of Eid – Western Union’s association with Chennai Express, follows closely with the company’s 10 Guna Zyada’
promotion where 30 international remittance receivers across ten states in
India enjoyed the opportunity to increase their principal amount received
ten-fold* which ended 6 August 2013.
Mr. Kiran Shetty, Managing Director & Regional Vice
President, Western Union India
said: “There is a hero featured in every Bollywood movie and at Western Union,
every time Western Union moves money for consumers whether that is from
overseas or within India, there is a hero celebrated by family and loved ones
across the whole of India.
“We are talking about 11 million
customers in India alone last year and we expect this to grow with our
expansion of international direct-to-bank and domestic direct-to-bank services.
“Our association with Bollywood is
a celebration of this heroism and there is no better way than to celebrate with
the “King of Bollywood”, Shah Rukh Khan’s special movie release.
In India - regular support,
education and gifting are the top three reasons to receive international
remittances from family and loved one’s overseas, according to Western Union
research in 2012.
Mr Shah Rukh Khan said, “We are delighted to be to be associated with a
global brand like Western Union that has been connecting families across the
world and within India.
“Cinema is exactly like that. In
fact, Chennai Express is a family entertainer for every person across the
world. I am glad Hindi Films continue to inspire real life stories and it is my
pleasure to be a part of this important journey.
“It is a special heroic sacrifice to leave
home in the name of greater opportunity for family and loved ones. I am glad
Bollywood continues to inspire real life stories and I am honoured to be a part
of this important journey,” he said.
Tanaaz Bhatia, Managing Director, Bottomline Media Pvt.Ltd, said,
“Western Union brings loved ones together, this is in perfect sync with the
theme of Chennai Express making it a perfect blend. We are thrilled to be
a part of this association as the movie and Western Union promise ten times
more excitement for all Indians, this festive season”.
Western Union’s mass media campaign
rolled out in India mid-July in the major states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West
Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala
& Karnataka. It included TV, radio, print and outdoor advertising as well
as point of sale activation at Western Union® Agent locations.
Western Union’s association with Chennai
Express continues its tradition of Bollywood sponsorship. Western Union’s
“Great loves that binds overseas Indians back home” 2012 survey conducted by
Nielsen asked Indians by birth or descent across major regions of the world
with large Indian diaspora, the top three things that connected them most to
India. The top three iconic characteristics connecting overseas Indians most to
their roots are, perhaps not surprisingly were Indian food, Bollywood and
traditional festivals.
Western Union’s 10 Guna Zyada’ promotion
conducted via a raffle of money transfer transactions offered over 5,000
consumers a chance to win ‘Eidi’ ranging from INR 501 up to INR 5,001, while 30
lucky winners had the opportunity to win a grand prize of up to INR 120,000.
The competition within the states
of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala & Karnataka - ended 6 August 2013; and winners
notified will be by 16 August 2013.
* Maximum prize limited to INR1,20,000. Other terms and conditions apply.
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. As of June 30, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta
branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately
520,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and approximately
115,000 ATMs. In 2012, The Western Union Company completed 231 million
consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $79 billion of principal
between consumers, and 432 million business payments. For more information,
visit www.westernunion.com.
* Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan do not endorse
Western Union® services nor the brand
