The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payment
services, has announced a film partnership deal with 20th
Century Fox for its animated feature RIO 2.
Western Union saw the partnership with RIO 2 which has a roster of
beloved characters, a stellar cast, a rich and vibrant soundtrack, and
is a sequel to the original smash hit film, as an opportunity to create
a unique partnership between two iconic brands centering on a common
theme in a fresh and creative venue. The partnership expands consumer
reach for both companies with a collaborative global marketing campaign.
“RIO 2 provides a new medium to engage our customers in a fun artistic
approach, conveying the intrinsic connection of one’s roots with family
and loved ones. This theme resonates with the sentiments of our
customers, and underscores a brand attribute that Western Union is proud
to embody with its global network of services,” said Laston Charriez,
Western Union Senior Vice President, Americas Marketing.
Western Union has a special perspective on ‘global’ citizens who cross
global or local borders to work and live. For these senders, staying
deeply connected to their roots by providing financial support to their
families back home is essential.
"We are proud and excited that RIO 2 is Western Union's first major
entertainment partnership," said Zachary Eller, SVP, Marketing
Partnerships at 20th Century Fox. "Western Union's millions
of consumers are our moviegoers. Combine WU's enormous customer and
retail base with a fun and clever 360 degree marketing activation that
they have pulled off and you get something incredible.”
For example, according to a past Nielsen National Research Group’s
American Moviegoing report, enjoying movies with family and friends
carries a positive cultural significance for Hispanics (86%) and
non-Hispanics (77%), both important audiences for Western Union.
The collaborative global marketing campaign with 20th Century
Fox includes TV advertising, print, point of sale, online, out-of-home,
and social media, with a consumer scratch and win game in the US. The
campaign is currently running through May 18th. RIO 2 world
premiere was held on March 21st in Miami and is in theatres
on April 11th nationwide.
Additional information can be found at www.westernunion.com/usa
and www.riomovies.com
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 December 31, 2013, the Western Union, Vigo
and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined
network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories
and over 100,000 ATMs. In 2013, The Western Union Company completed 242
million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $82 billion
of principal between consumers, and 459 million business payments. For
more information, visit www.westernunion.com.
About RIO 2
It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids in RIO 2,
after they’re hurtled from that magical city to the wilds of the Amazon.
As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel,
and meets the most fearsome adversary of all – his father-in-law. All
our favorite RIO characters are back, and they’re joined by Oscar®
nominee Andy Garcia, Grammy® winner Bruno Mars, Tony® winner Kristin
Chenoweth and Oscar/Emmy®/Tony winner Rita Moreno. RIO 2 also
features new Brazilian artists and original music by Janelle Monae and
Wondaland.
About Fox
One of the world’s largest producers and distributors of motion
pictures, 20th Century Fox Film produces, acquires and
distributes motion pictures throughout the world. These motion pictures
are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th
Century Fox Film: Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox
Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, and Twentieth
Century Fox Animation.
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Copyright Business Wire 2014