E*TRADE Canada, Quicken.ca and The Globe and
Mail Launch Canada's Most Realistic Online Trading
Game at www.tradersplay.com
Game Provides a Chance to Win $50,000 in Cash Prizes, in a Real-time,
Unrestricted, Trading Environment
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 1999-- E*TRADE Canada (R)(Nasdaq:SIPC - news), Quicken.ca, and The
Globe and Mail, today announced tradersplay.com, a stock market with the same online trading experiences as a real trading
environment.
The game begins at 12:00 a.m. EST on November 8, 1999 and closes at 4:00 p.m. EST on January 7, 2000. Players can
register for the game starting November 6, 1999 at www.tradersplay.com.
''tradersplay.com'' is based on E*TRADE Canada's innovative online trading technologies and investment services
strengthened by Quicken.ca's financial information, tools and research. It provides a chance to win $50,000(a) in total cash
prizes, topping last year's record-breaking $30,000 grand prize. The Globe and Mail will track and announce the performance
of the players on a weekly basis.
''tradersplay.com is the closest Canadians can get to the thrill of investment independence offered by direct online trading,'' said
Colleen Moorehead, President, E*TRADE Canada. ''E*TRADE Canada is a leader in trading technologies and a pioneer of
online investment services. The partnership with Quicken.ca for financial content and analysis and support by The Globe and
Mail adds to this thrill.''
After registering for the game, players will receive a $500,000 mock account at tradersplay.com, using technologies and
investment services and rich financial information available at www.quicken.ca, to trade any stock listed on any participating
exchange up to 10 times per day. Trades are subject to a ''game commission,'' a charge that would equal the commissions a
person would actually pay on the game portfolio if it were a real E*TRADE Canada portfolio.
''We are topping last year's successful game with E*TRADE Canada to offer an even better game, with bigger prizes and great
partners,'' said Michael Abramsky, President, Rogers New Media, the exclusive Canadian partner for Quicken.ca. ''This
partnership gives players at tradersplay.com everything they need to compete for the largest online cash prize in Canadian Web
history.''
Players at tradersplay.com will also have regular access to experts in online chat sessions, the ability to compare experts' stock
picks, and the chance to compete against each other for cash prizes.
''As Canada's national newspaper and the premier daily source of business news, information and analysis, we are very
pleased to be working with E*TRADE Canada and Quicken.ca on this exciting venture,'' said Phillip Crawley, Publisher and
CEO, The Globe and Mail. ''I'm sure our readers will enjoy it greatly.''
About Quicken.ca
Quicken.ca is the result of an exclusive partnership between Intuit Canada Limited and Rogers Media Inc., a subsidiary of
Rogers Communications (Toronto: RCI.A - news and RCI.B - news; NYSE:RG - news). Intuit Canada is a leading developer
of personal finance, small business accounting, and tax preparation software including Quicken, QuickTax, QuickBooks and
QuickWealth. Rogers Communications Inc. is Canada's national communications company engaged in cellular, Digital PCS,
paging and data communications through its subsidiary Rogers Cantel Mobile Communications Inc., in cable television,
high-speed Internet access and video retailing through its wholly owned subsidiary Rogers Cablesystems Limited, and in radio
and television broadcasting, tele-shopping, publishing and new media businesses through its wholly owned subsidiary Rogers
Media Inc.
About The Globe and Mail
The Globe and Mail is Canada's national newspaper, daily offering a million readers from coast to coast unparalleled national,
international and business reporting, analysis and commentary. The Globe and Mail is part of Thomson Newspapers, which
serves 21 national and regional markets in the United States and Canada. A marketing and communications company and
publisher of 55 daily newspapers, Thomson Newspapers is one of the main operating units of The Thomson Corporation. TTC
is a world leader in the information sector with approximately 40,000 employees and annual revenues in excess of $6 billion
U.S. TTC's common shares are traded on the Toronto, Montreal and London stock exchanges.
About E*TRADE Canada (R)
E*TRADE Canada (R) is a service of VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc.(TSE:V. - news; ME:V. - news) 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 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 WebTrust 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.
E*TRADE Canada (R) is a trademark of E*TRADE Group, Inc., and is used with their permission. E*TRADE Securities, Inc.
(Nasdaq:SIPC - news), and its parent company, E*TRADE Group, Inc., are headquartered in Menlo Park, California.
About VERSUS Technologies Inc. and VERSUS Brokerage Services Inc.
VERSUS Technologies Inc. (TSE, ME: V - news), together with its wholly owned subsidiary, VERSUS Brokerage Services
Inc., is a leading provider of electronic securities trading services to the Canadian marketplace. VERSUS develops, distributes
and provides access to electronic securities trading services and related products for both retail and institutional investors
through its electronic trading network.
VERSUS' retail business is marketed exclusively in Canada under the E*TRADE Canada (R) name, as a service of VERSUS
Brokerage Services Inc. The E*TRADE Canada (R) service is 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, Montreal, Vancouver and Alberta stock exchanges, the Investment Dealers Association of Canada, and the
Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
(a) Contest open to Canadian residents only, except those in the province of Quebec. Contestants must be over 18 years of
age to play. No purchase necessary. Grand prize of $40,000 to the overall winner, nine Sprint prizes of $1,000 each and one
random $1,000 prize. For complete prize descriptions, contest rules and regulations, go to www.tradersplay.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: In the company name E*Company noted in this news release, there is an asterisk between E and
Company. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.
Contact:
E*TRADE Canada
Cameron Hall, 416/214-6988
media@tradeit.com
or
The Globe and Mail
Philip Crawley, 416/585-5203
pcrawley@globeandmail.ca
or
Hill and Knowlton
Dave Copp, 416/413-4735
dave.copp@hillandknowlton.ca
or
Rogers New Media
Mike Abramsky, 416/642-4949
mabramsky@rnm.ca |
