PLEASANTON, CA – December 22, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, today announced its award-winning Gift Card Mall™ is available in over 200 Guitar Center stores nationally.

Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million consumers weekly offering a wide variety of prepaid cards from some of the best brands in the world, including popular entertainment, fashion, dining and digital content prepaid cards. A wide selection of gift cards, including iTunes, Applebee’s, Lowe’s, Olive Garden and jcpenney will be available in Guitar Center locations.

“This partnership with Guitar Center is very exciting for us,” said Talbott Roche, President, Blackhawk Network. “It allows us to reach a new segment of consumers with our innovative products that offer convenience and choice.”

In addition, Guitar Center branded gift cards will be available throughout Blackhawk Network’s Gift Card Mall network nationwide, beginning March 2012.

“Our customers are passionate about the brands they purchase and show incredible loyalty,” said Wes Muddle, Vice President, Finance, Guitar Center Brand. “By offering them all the brands they want and love in one convenient location, we are improving our customers’ shopping experience with us.”

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through a network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

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About Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 223 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In addition, the Music & Arts division of our retail store subsidiary operates 100 stores specializing in band and orchestra instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We also are the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician’s Friend, Inc., and its catalogs and owned or operated websites.

Contact:

Christina Witz
MWW Group for Blackhawk Network
213-405-3797
cwitz@mww.com

###

PLEASANTON, CA – December 14, 2011 – The gift the majority of shoppers would like to receive this holiday season is a gift card, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

With the current focus on value and convenience, shoppers are looking for ways to cash in and save big for the holidays – and they can when they buy gift cards at their local grocery store.

So, whether shopping for someone else or preparing for a big purchase, shoppers can make their money go further by:

• Saving at the pump - Get money off gas purchases when buying gift cards at the grocery store. Customers can relieve some of their holiday travel expenses through fuel savings programs.
• Earning cash rewards – Reap rewards and save! This season, some grocery stores offer rewards on your next shopping trip when purchasing gift cards.
• Saving time -Holiday shopping can be exhausting and time consuming. The grocery store offers a one-stop shopping experience with up to 350 top brands all in one place! Shoppers can choose gift cards for any family member, friend or colleague from a variety of leading brands.

To learn more cash-savings gift card tips or to share tips, visit www.facebook.com/GiftCardsRock.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through a network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexicoand the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

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PLEASANTON, CA – December 7, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, today announced it has partnered with QuikTrip Corporation, a prominent convenience store and gasoline retailer, to offer its award-winning Gift Card Mall in over 500 QuikTrip locations nationwide.

The product line in QuikTrip stores includes a wide variety of popular gift cards, digital content cards and telecom prepaid cards. Gift Card Mall gives consumers more options when shopping for dining, fashion, sports and entertainment gift cards from the industry’s most desired brands.

“QuikTrip is a valuable addition to our ever-growing network of alliance partners in the convenience store sector,” said Talbott Roche, president, Blackhawk Network. “Our customers now have convenience and choice when visiting their local QuikTrip store and shopping Gift Card Mall’s wide selection of prepaid offerings.”

“The addition of Gift Card Mall to QuikTrip locations will enhance our customers’ shopping experience and save them time,” said Mike Thornbrugh at QuikTrip. “Our partnership with Blackhawk Network will provide consumers with a quick and easy solution for all their gifting and telecom needs.”

The partnership with QuikTrip is yet another recent expansion of Blackhawk Network’s network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy and specialty stores.

About QuikTrip

QuikTrip Corporation is a privately held company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded in 1958, QuikTrip has grown to a $9 billion company with 583 stores in 9 major metropolitan areas. Those revenues place QuikTrip high on the Forbes listing of largest privately held companies. QuikTrip’s strategy is to be the dominant convenience/gasoline retailer in each market, and to reach that level not through sheer numbers of stores, but through key, high-volume locations. With over 10,000 employees, Fortune magazine has ranked QuikTrip high on the list of Best Companies To Work for the last nine years. QuikTrip also gives back to the communities it serves, donating 5% of net profits to charitable organizations.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through a network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCMall and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/giftcardmall.

Accessible, flexible and convenient, Gift Card Store™, offers a wide variety of gift cards from some of the best brands in the world, including entertainment, fashion, dining out and home improvement, all in one convenient location. Gift Card Store allows you to treat your friends, family and work colleagues to a special gift that is perfect for each one of them – and it is never the wrong size or wrong color! Cards are currently available at local providers including Tesco, Morrisons, Argos and Boots.

“Although gift cards are relatively new in the UK, based on our research, two-thirds of consumers in the UK prefer to receive gift cards rather than a gift chosen for them,” said Jim Strabo, Managing Director, Blackhawk Network Europe. “Our mission is to simplify the present shopping experience by offering an impressive line-up of brands in one convenient location so people can treat themselves to something special, something they really want.”

In the United States, Gift Card Store’s counterpart, Gift Card Mall™, offers more than 350 top brands and reaches 165 million consumers each week. Consumer demand for gift cards is also growing in the US and throughout the world, in countries such as Australia, Mexico, Canada and France.

So, this Christmas, get it right for all your family and friends the first time and don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled in your local Tesco, Morrisons, Argos and Boots for all the latest exciting brand partnerships!

About Blackhawk Network Europe

Gift Card Store was created by Blackhawk Network, which is a leading provider of pre-paid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. Founded in 2001, Blackhawk Network has revolutionised the way people give and receive gifts over the last decade by offering the convenience of buying leading retail gift cards in an exclusive network of top supermarket, hypermarket, convenience, pharmacy, specialty and internet retailers across the globe.

Blackhawk Network Europe is a division of Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. Blackhawk Network is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. As the leading third party prepaid provider, Blackhawk offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift cards in thousands of retail locations.

Leveraging its strong retail heritage and expertise in the grocery channel, Blackhawk Network Europe currently partners with many of the top retailers in Europe. The company is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Blackhawk Network Europe is headquartered in London with an office in Paris. In addition to the UK and France, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.  For more information about Blackhawk Network visit http://www.blackhawknetwork.com.

Blackhawk Network evaluated the gift card exchange landscape and determined that Cardpool has been running a very successful business, smartly. In only two years, it has become the fast-growing card exchange resource. In addition, Cardpool is now processing over $100,000 in gift cards each day. We believe that this success was not only based on smart staffing and business decision but, also, its passion for serving the customers. Blackhawk Network and Cardpool both believe the customer comes first, making this the perfect marriage to better serve our collective customers.

PLEASANTON, CA – October 21, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, announced the acquisition of Cardpool, the fast-growing gift card exchange company where consumers can buy, sell and trade gift cards.

Cardpool connects gift card holders around the world to create a gift card exchange marketplace where customers can buy, sell, or trade gift cards safely and securely.

“Blackhawk Network has always provided consumers with the utmost convenience for making their gift card purchases,” said Bill Tauscher, Chairman and CEO, Blackhawk Network. “We now look forward to extending that convenience to gift card recipients by allowing them to easily get the gift card they want through this exchange.”

“We are excited for Cardpool to become part of a company that shaped the gift card landscape as we know it today,” said Anson Tsai, Co-founder and CEO, Cardpool. “This is a huge opportunity to enhance and expand our services for both our loyal customers and new customers by leveraging Blackhawk Network’s strong network of retailers and industry expertise.”

Cardpool will remain headquartered in San Francisco, California, and consumers can continue to exchange their gift cards at www.cardpool.com for a different gift card or for cash. Cardpool verifies the authenticity and balance of each gift card as part of the secure and trusted transaction process, and provides free shipping on all transactions.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCMall and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/giftcardmall.

About Cardpool

Cardpool, a subsidiary of Blackhawk Network Inc, is the fast-growing gift card exchange company where customers can buy, sell, or trade gift cards safely and securely. Customers can exchange their gift cards at www.cardpool.com, where they can buy, sell, or trade, gift cards to over 400 different retailers, and in return, receive a discounted gift card, a different gift card, or simply cash.  Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Cardpool was acquired by Blackhawk Network in 2011.

PLEASANTON, CA – September 26, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, today announced that its award-winning Gift Card Mall™ will be available in Smart & Final locations in California, Arizona and Nevada. Just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season, Smart & Final customers in 182 stores will be able to rely on the convenience and selection of Gift Card Mall for all of their gifting needs.

“With 35 percent of Smart & Final customers being small business owners, this expansion marks an opportunity for Gift Card Mall to serve as a resource to a new customer base,” said Talbott Roche, President, Blackhawk Network.

“Providing our customers the convenience of Blackhawk Network’s Gift Card Mall is one more way we are enhancing our customers’ shopping experience,” said Mike Mortensen, Senior Vice President, Sales and Merchandising for Smart & Final. “Everything we do is focused on saving our customers time and money, and we are pleased to augment the services and products we offer with the added value this partnership makes available.”

Gift Card Mall offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift cards, reaching 165 million consumers annually. Consumers can find popular brands in entertainment, dining, fashion, home improvement and sports categories. A wide selection of gift cards, including iTunes, Lowe’s, Olive Garden, Nordstrom and Visa® gift cards, will be available at Smart & Final locations.

Smart & Final locations will also include Blackhawk Network’s popular Prepaid Center, featuring PayPower Visa prepaid debit cards and REloadit Packs, as well as telecom products for consumers.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCMall and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/giftcardmall.

About Smart & Final

Originally founded in 1871 in downtown Los Angeles, Smart & Final Stores LLC operates approximately 250 retail stores under the banners Smart & Final, Smart & Final Extra!, Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice, and SmartCo Foods in the western United States and northern Mexico.  For more information, visit the company’s website at www.smartandfinal.com.

PLEASANTON, CA – September 13, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, today announced that five new companies have joined Blackhawk’s growing REloadit Network.

Participating prepaid debit cards from AccountNow, Galileo, NetSpend, Precash and Ready Credit are available to reload through Blackhawk Network’s REloadit Network. The REloadit Network is a safe, easy and affordable way to load cash onto prepaid debit cards.

“This impressive line-up of new partners expands Blackhawk Network’s services to more prepaid debit cardholders than ever before,” says Talbott Roche, President, Blackhawk Network. “We look forward to continuing to enhance our REloadit Network through valuable partnerships and giving consumers the choice and flexibility they deserve in managing their finances.”

The REloadit pack, priced at $3.95, is featured on dedicated standalone end caps with multiple facings and signage as part of Blackhawk’s Prepaid Center. Cardholders can follow the steps below to reload their prepaid card:

1. Purchase a REloadit Pack at a participating retailer.
2. Visit www.reloadit.com or call the REloadit automated phone system at 1-888-633-9434.
3. Provide the 16-digit card number on the front of the card and REloadit Pack scratch-off number to transfer the purchase amount onto their prepaid card.

Consumers can purchase a REloadit Pack at thousands of U.S. locations throughout Blackhawk’s network including top grocery stores across the country. 

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., is a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses. The company’s Gift Card Mall™ offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift card and telecom products. Gift Card Mall reaches more than 165 million people each week through an exclusive network of leading grocery stores, big box, convenience, pharmacy, and specialty stores and is available through Internet retailers including GiftCardMall.com. Blackhawk Network’s business solutions include reward and incentive programs that offer choice and flexibility through a wide array of card brands, custom designed Visa® prepaid cards and fulfillment options.

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom. For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/GCMall and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/giftcardmall.

LONDON – August 15, 2011 – Blackhawk Network, a leading provider of prepaid and financial payments products for consumers and businesses, today announced that Blackhawk Network Europe has been named a Distinguished Honoree in the Financial Services Company of the Year category of the 2011 International Business Awards. The International Business Awards are the only global, all-encompassing business awards program honoring great performances in business.

“We are proud to be recognised for the significant growth of Blackhawk Network Europe in the past year,” said Jim Strabo, Managing Director, Blackhawk Network Europe. “By solidifying new partnerships with many top retailers such as Tesco, and growing our existing partnerships with retailers such as Carrefour, we will continue to serve as a convenient destination for prepaid cards to even more consumers throughout Europe.”

Honorees were selected from more than 3,000 entries received from organizations and individuals in more than 40 nations.  

“We congratulate all of the honorees and look forward to recognising them for their achievements at our gala event,” said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards, presenters of the International Business Awards.

Nicknamed the Stevie^® for the Greek word “crowned,” the awards will be presented to honorees at a gala event on Tuesday, 11 October in the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Complete lists of honorees and other details are available at www.stevieawards.com/iba.    

About Blackhawk Network Europe

Blackhawk Network Europe is a division of Blackhawk Network, a subsidiary of Safeway Inc., a Fortune 100 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America based on sales. As the leading third party prepaid provider, Blackhawk offers the industry’s most popular prepaid gift cards in thousands of retail locations. The company has revolutionised the way consumers give and receive gifts through the gift card destination program, which offers the convenience of buying leading retail gift cards in an exclusive network of top supermarkets, hypermarket, convenience, pharmacy, specialty and Internet retailers across the globe. Leveraging its strong retail heritage and expertise in the grocery channel, Blackhawk Network Europe currently partners with many of the top retailers in Europe. The company is authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Blackhawk Network Europe is headquartered in London with an office in Paris. In addition to the UK and France, Blackhawk Network Inc. has offices in Australia, Canada, Mexico and the United States.  For more information about Blackhawk Network visit www.blackhawknetwork.com.

About The Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.  Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide.  Learn more about the Stevie Awards at www.stevieawards.com.