Spytrdr,
You see this one:
Wednesday March 15, 9:50 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: PRIMUS Telecommunications
E*TRADE Canada and PRIMUS Canada Forge Strategic Alliance to Market Services:
Leading Online Investment Service to Form Alliance With Leading Telecommunications Company
TORONTO, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- E*TRADE Canada, a service of VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of VERSUS Technologies Inc. (Toronto: V - news), and a leading online investment service, and PRIMUS Telecommunications Canada Inc. (``PRIMUS Canada'), a subsidiary of McLean, Virginia-based PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRTL - news) and the second largest alternative provider of consumer long distance services in Canada, announced today a strategic alliance to market their products and services. As a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP), PRIMUS Canada has an Internet network consisting of more than 60 points-of-presence throughout the country.
At the heart of the alliance is a marketing agreement whereby E*TRADE Canada is afforded the opportunity to generate new accounts for its online service from among PRIMUS Canada's base of over 700,000 retail customers, included in which are more than 80, 000 ISP customers. PRIMUS Canada is given the opportunity to offer value-added services to its customers and strengthen its relationship with its long distance and Internet subscribers. PRIMUS Canada customers who open an E*TRADE Canada account for the first time will receive a $120 credit to use toward either their PRIMUS Canada or PRIMUS Internet Services account. Similarly, E*TRADE Canada customers who sign up with PRIMUS Canada will be offered a bonus incentive.
E*TRADE Canada and PRIMUS Canada are both committed to providing their customers with unique, innovative and value-rich products and services driven by leading edge technology. The alliance between the two companies is based on this shared commitment and leverages the strengths of each company to ensure long-term value for both businesses.
``There is a natural relationship between E*TRADE Canada and PRIMUS Canada,' said Colleen Moorehead, President of E*TRADE Canada. ``Both companies have used the power of technology to bring new products and services to the Canadian consumer and both companies market to a consumer who values innovation. An alliance between our two companies is a logical first step in creating a long-term relationship that will benefit both E*TRADE Canada and PRIMUS Canada,' she added.
``We're extremely pleased with this opportunity to market our products and services alongside a brand so widely recognized across North America,' commented Ted Chislett, President of PRIMUS Canada. ``The incentive offers will enhance the value-add of PRIMUS Canada's service offerings, both Internet and long distance, thereby increasing the life-time value of our customers. The synergies between the companies are tremendous. We both recognize the importance of the Internet as well as the need to enable our customers to engage in e-commerce transactions,' he concluded.
For more details on the offer, please visit E*TRADE Canada's website at www.canada.etrade.com/primus .
About VERSUS Technologies Inc.
VERSUS Technologies Inc. is a public company listed on the TSE (Toronto: V - news). VERSUS Technologies Inc., together with its wholly-owned subsidiary, VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc., is a leading provider of electronic securities trading services to the Canadian marketplace. VERSUS' retail business is marketed exclusively in Canada under the E*TRADE Canada name, as a service of VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc. The E*TRADE Canada service is currently offered in all provinces. VERSUS Technologies Inc. and VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc. are headquartered in Toronto, Canada. VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc. is a member of the Toronto and Montreal exchanges and the Canadian Venture Exchange, the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. E*TRADE Canada is a registered trademark of E*TRADE Securities, Inc., and is used with their permission. E*TRADE Securities, Inc. (Member NASD/SIPC), and its parent company, E*TRADE Group, Inc., are headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
About E*TRADE CANADA
E*TRADE Canada is a service of VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc. E*TRADE Canada has established a popular destination website offering independent investors the convenience and control of automated stock, option and Canadian mutual fund trading at low commission rates. In addition, E*TRADE Canada has a suite of investing tools that can be personalized, including portfolio tracking, Java-based charting and quote applications, real-time stock quotes, market commentary and analysis, up-to-the-minute news and other information services. Customers can access E*TRADE Canada at www.canada.etrade.com on the Internet as well as through interactive voice response.
E*TRADE Canada was the first online investment service in Canada to earn the CA Web Trust Seal of Assurance. This seal of assurance informs electronic commerce consumers that E*TRADE Canada maintains strict controls and procedures to safeguard its private information.
The E*TRADE Canada site was chosen as one of Canada's 50 Most Amazingly Helpful Sites in a recent edition of Yahoo! Canada's Picks of the Week.
About PRIMUS Telecommunications Canada Inc.
PRIMUS Telecommunications Canada is the second largest alternative provider of consumer long distance services, both domestic and international, in Canada. Through the strategic deployment and acquisition of related services, PRIMUS Telecommunications Canada is in many markets today a full service provider bundling Internet, paging, long distance and local services. A wholly-owned subsidiary of PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated, PRIMUS Telecommunications Canada has over 700,000 retail customers. Founded in 1997, it has offices across Canada, including Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, and over 850 employees. News and information are available at the company's Canadian Web site at www.primustel.ca .
About PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated
PRIMUS Telecommunications Group, Incorporated (Nasdaq: PRTL - news) is a global facilities-based Total Services Provider providing bundled Internet, e-commerce, data, web hosting, virtual private network (VPN), voice and other value-added services. PRIMUS has been significantly expanding its e-commerce and Internet capabilities with the deployment of a global state-of the-art broadband fiber optic IP+ATM network. The Company presently owns and operates an extensive global network of owned and leased transmission facilities, including over 100 IP points-of-presence (POPs) and Internet peering relationships throughout the world, ownership interests in 23 undersea fiber optic cable systems, 19 international gateway and domestic switches, a satellite earth station and a variety of operating relationships that allow the company to deliver traffic worldwide. Founded in 1994 and based in McLean, Va., the Company serves corporate, small- and medium-sized business, ISP, residential and data, ISP and telecommunication carrier customers primarily located in the North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions of the world. News and information are available at the company's Web site at www.primustel.com . |
