Barclaycard Partnership at We

RNS Number : 9317K

Quintain Estates & Development PLC

28 April 2010

 



28 April 2010

Barclaycard says "Hello Wembley" to Iconic Arena

Deal brings ticket booking rights to 10.4 million Barclaycard customers

Leading global payment business Barclaycard has announced a major partnership with Quintain Estates and Development plc through which it acquires the naming and promotional rights to London's iconic Wembley Arena, located at the heart of the Wembley City scheme.

The five-year deal will see the venue become "Wembley Arena, a Barclaycard Unwind Venue" with contactless payment points installed throughout.  Over 10.4 million Barclaycard customers will receive exclusive information about forthcoming acts and preferential access to Wembley Arena tickets, which will be fulfilled as part of the Barclaycard Unwind customer benefit programme.

Since its £36 million redevelopment by Quintain in 2007, the historic Arena has welcomed artists such as Madonna, Oasis, Bruce Springsteen, Westlife, Status Quo, Taylor Swift, Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs, as well as hosting sporting features such as Masters Snooker and TNA Wrestling and comedians including Russell Howard and Michael McIntyre. Upcoming acts booked for 2010 include Stereophonics, Ricky Gervais, KISS, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Cirque du Soleil and JLS.

James Saunders, managing director of commercial ventures at Quintain, comments: "The decision by Barclaycard to partner Wembley Arena demonstrates the calibre of the venue and the strength of its brand amongst the music loving public.

"Wembley Arena sits at the heart of the Wembley City scheme, which brings together retail, leisure, residential and commercial buildings in a world class entertainment district"

Gary Twelvetree, Barclaycard Global Brand Director, comments: "Wembley Arena is one of the best-known and respected names in the British music business and for over fifty years it has played host to some of the greatest music acts of all time.

"So the opportunity to link our own customer benefit programme, Barclaycard Unwind (www.barclaycardunwind.com) with Wembley Arena was irresistible. This partnership is part of our wider involvement in the music and entertainment business alongside existing title sponsorships Barclaycard Mercury Prize and Wireless sponsored by Barclaycard. We have resisted the temptation to create another corporate rock venue, so Wembley Arena retains hero brand status with 'A Barclaycard Unwind Venue' signoff underlining our commitment to providing enriched experiences for Barclaycard customers. As well as providing unique benefits for our customers, this partnership will allow us to showcase the latest payment technology such as contactless technology aimed at making payments simpler."

Wembley Arena is operated on behalf of Quintain by Live Nation, the world's largest music promoter. John Drury, General Manager (Live Nation) of Wembley Arena says: "It is a great tribute to the history and iconic status of Wembley Arena that Barclaycard wants to partner with us. Artists love standing on stage saying "Hello Wembley", and music fans love the acoustics of the redeveloped 12,500-seater venue and the convenience of its West London location.  The alliance of Barclaycard, Live Nation and Quintain's Wembley City will help drive Wembley Arena to new heights."

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For further information please contact:

Quintain Estates & Development plc

Cressida Curtis

Tel:       [phone]

Financial Dynamics

Stephanie Highett / Dido Laurimore / Laurence Jones

Tel:       [phone]

Quintain Estates and Development plc is a property investment and development company, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Quintain operates through two businesses: Fund Management and Urban Regeneration, which consists of the company's larger and typically complex assets such as Wembley City.

About Barclaycard

Barclaycard, part of Barclays Global Retail Banking division, is a leading global payment business which helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and accept payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit when needed.

The company is one of the pioneers of new forms of payments and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting edge forms of payment for the future.  It also issues credit and charge cards to corporate customers and the UK Government.  Barclaycard partners with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit.

In addition to the UK, Barclaycard operates in the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle and Far East.

Key facts published in February 2010;

-     number of UK customers: 10.4m

-     number of International customers: 10.8m

-     number of retailer/merchant relationships: 87,000

 

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