Alliance Data's Canadian Loyalty Business Announces New Multi-Year Agreement With Eastlink, Canada's Largest Privately-Held Telecommunications Company

Alliance Data Systems Corporation

, a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced that its Canadian loyalty business signed a new multi-year agreement with Eastlink, which delivers advanced video entertainment, and communications services to residential, business and public sector customers in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, as well as Bermuda. Eastlink is owned by the Bragg Group, a privately held business based in Nova Scotia, Canada. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20051024/ADSLOGO ) Terms of the agreement were not released, however Eastlink is permitted to issue AIR MILES reward miles in Atlantic Canada's four provinces. Eastlink is driven by a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurialism. Over its 40+ year history, Eastlink has transformed the competitive landscape in the telecommunications sector with high value standalone and bundled offerings in communities, large and small, across Canada. Beginning June 19, Eastlink will issue reward miles for a variety of products and services during promotional periods. New and existing AIR MILES Collectors can earn reward miles for purchases associated with HD, DVR, Pre-authorized payment services and e-billing subscriptions. The AIR MILES® Reward Program is Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, with approximately two-thirds of Canadian households actively collecting reward miles. Eastlink joins a coalition of more than 220 leading brand-name sponsors representing thousands of retail and service locations and global online brands. AIR MILES reward miles can be redeemed for more than 1,200 different rewards, such as travel, movie passes, entertainment attractions and electronic merchandise. "Canada's domestic telecommunications industry is particularly competitive for long-term customer loyalty," said Bryan Pearson, president of LoyaltyOne, owner and operator of the AIR MILES Reward Program. "A well-recognized brand, Eastlink continues to extend its reach throughout Atlantic Canada and joins an expanding roster of sponsors on Canada's eastern coast focused on delivering exceptional value to their customers and AIR MILES collectors." "We are excited to be the first full-service telecommunications company in Canada to offer Atlantic Canadians AIR MILES reward miles across our range of video entertainment and communications services," said Lee Bragg, Eastlink chief executive officer. "We know that many of our customers collect AIR MILES. This partnership gives us an opportunity to thank them and show them how much we appreciate their business, by providing them with a unique full service offering and value that they can't get with another telecommunications company."