Western Union launches Network Challenge to mark its 160th Anniversary
ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jul 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- One of the world's most globally connected companies, Western Union, is celebrating its 160th anniversary by launching a search for the most networked person in the world.
With more than 400,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories, Western Union has an enormous global presence. To celebrate this unique status, Western Union is calling for Canada's most globally connected individuals to step forward and take the Western Union(R) Network Challenge at http://www.westernunionworld.com/yourworld.
The search will be fueled by a new interactive, online Application called Your World which Western Union has created to mark its birthday. It visualizes Facebook fans' global connections andusers receive a score that shows how globally connected they are. They can compare their ranking against their Facebook Friends; against others in their country and against others in the world.
Launching the Network Challenge, Western Union President and CEO, Hikmet Ersek, said:
"When we were thinking how best to celebrate our landmark 160th anniversary and the role we play in connecting people across the globe, Your World made perfect sense.
"We're incredibly proud that people across the globe have been inviting us to be part of their lives for 160 years. Today, we're online, on mobile and landlines, around the corner in over 400,000 Agent locations and around the clock, potentially touching the lives of one sixth of the world's population. That gives us a privileged and unique perspective on the world.
"We wanted to find a way to give consumers their own bird's eye view of their personal network in the world. As well as being a fun way to celebrate the power of human connectivity, Your World is going to create some fascinating insights, and perhaps encourage more of us to reach out to our fellow global citizens."
Based on the Western Union Network Challenge, the most globally networked individual will have a unique opportunity to use his or her extensive network as a force for good.
Your World goes live today - to see your global connections go to http://www.westernunionworld.com/yourworld and type in your Facebook log-in details.
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 455,000 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 http://www.westernunion.com.
SOURCE: Western Union
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