PURCHASE, N.Y., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- MasterCard Worldwide today announced that Microsoft Corp. and Monster(R), the leading global online careers and recruitment resource, are the latest additions to a growing list of merchants now offering small business customers automatic savings as part of the MasterCard Easy Savings program. MasterCard BusinessCard(R) credit and signature debit cardholders enrolled in the program will now be able to receive special savings on online search marketing and related advertising services from Microsoft, as well as industry-leading online recruitment services from Monster.

"As leaders in providing innovative products and services to small businesses, we are pleased that Microsoft and Monster have joined the MasterCard Easy Savings program," said Bruno Perreault, Group Head, Small and Mid-Sized Enterprises, MasterCard Worldwide. "MasterCard now offers the only automatic savings program that includes online marketing and employee recruitment, which are two key areas required to manage and grow a small business. The addition of Microsoft and Monster to the MasterCard Easy Savings program demonstrates our commitment to continue to provide small businesses with savings in business-relevant categories while also enabling merchants and financial institutions with a unique way to both reach and build loyalty with small businesses."

MasterCard BusinessCard cardholders enrolled in the MasterCard Easy Savings program can now enjoy a three percent automatic discount on all services purchased through Microsoft adCenter, a product offered through the Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions division. The innovative services provided on Microsoft adCenter enable small businesses to better market their business and are especially designed to help small businesses jumpstart and manage their online search advertising campaigns, save time and boost returns on their online advertising investment.

"Microsoft provides products and solutions that make it easy for small businesses to manage and optimize their business," said Valerie Bolduc, global partnership marketing manager for Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions. "MasterCard Easy Savings supports our commitment to helping small businesses achieve their full potential and helps us attract new customers and improve loyalty among those who already use our advertising solutions."

Through MasterCard Easy Savings, MasterCard BusinessCard cardholders can also receive a five percent discount on recruitment services through Monster. Small business employers can post jobs and gain access to the world's largest resume database on Monster. Automatic savings on Monster products are available to enrolled cardholders, allowing businesses to effectively utilize their recruitment dollars.

"Finding and hiring the right candidate is a top priority for small business owners and Monster is committed to offering the tools and services to help them achieve their recruitment goals," said Diane Frankenfield, Vice President, eBusiness Strategy for Monster. "We provide best-in-class value in recruitment products and services to small businesses. The MasterCard Easy Savings program provides a new way to introduce our products and support the success of small business owners."

In addition to the Microsoft and Monster offers, the MasterCard Easy Savings program provides MasterCard BusinessCard credit and signature debit cardholders automatic rebates at a wide-range of business-relevant companies, including: Administaff, Inc, Avis, Budget, DHL, HRTools.com, Maggiano's Little Italy, Midwest Airlines, Mimeo.com, SurePayroll, Website Pros, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. A full listing of merchants and more information regarding their offers can be found at http://www.mastercardeasysavings.com/.

The MasterCard Easy Savings program launched in September, 2007 not only provides savings from business-relevant merchants across key purchasing categories, but it currently also includes over twenty-five participating issuing banks. Small business cardholders with MasterCard BusinessCard cards from participating issuers can enroll in the MasterCard Easy Savings program by visiting http://www.mastercardeasysavings.com/.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 16 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard(R), Maestro(R) and Cirrus(R), MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com/.

CONTACT: Jon Schwartz of MasterCard Worldwide, +1-914-249-6806,
jon_schwartz@mastercard.com; or Jessi Newman of Weber Shandwick,
+1-952-346-6026, jnewman@webershandwick.com, for MasterCard Worldwide

Web site: http://www.mastercard.com/
http://www.mastercardeasysavings.com/