Paybefore Honors Innovation in Orlando (March 2013)

Expanding the Boundaries of Prepaid Left to right: Lisa Breitengross and Kevin Boglarsky, Discover

On March 4, Paybefore celebrated 72 programs in 23 categories, naming for the first time Best-in-Category honorees at the 7^th Annual Paybefore Awards Ceremony, which capped off the first day of Prepaid Expo USA in Orlando, Fla.

This year—for the very first time—there was a sixth judge, consisting of the votes of visitors to Paybefore.com, who participated in the selection of the Best-in-Category winners. In all, more than 3,200 people voted, and their votes made the difference in the Best in Category choice in nine categories.

Best Virtual or Digital Program  Left to right: Mitch Spolan,  LivingSocial; Erin Pettifor, Starbucks; and David Stone, CashStar

“It’s a dynamic time in electronic payments. Our Paybefore Awards winners are innovators that solve payments problems, reach new consumers and advance the industry,” said Loraine DeBonis, Paybefore editor-in-chief.

“As the world changes, so do the payment and money management needs of individuals, businesses and government agencies,” added Marilyn Bochicchio, Paybefore’s CEO. “Paybefore Awards recognizes the organizations that use financial services to make people’s lives better, which is why it is so exciting for us to honor those who champion innovation and excellence.” 

2013 Paybefore Awards Best-in-Category Winners

Brooks Smith and Roy Sosa Honored for Industry Achievement

The final awards of the night were for Industry Achievement—Paybefore’s highest honor given to individuals who advance the industry through innovation and advocacy. A panel of five past winners selected Brooks Smith, president and CEO, InComm; and Roy Sosa, co-founder and CEO, Rȇv Worldwide, as this year’s winners.

“Brooks started InComm in his garage in 1992, and beginning with long distance phone cards, has pioneered the growth of the prepaid industry to encompass a wide variety of products that benefit consumers, retailers and partners,” said Bochicchio. “And while Brooks’ resume as the leader of InComm is impressive, it’s not the only thing that prompted the judges to select him as an Industry Achievement Winner. Instead it was Brooks’ leadership outside the office, talking to regulators and lawmakers, particularly in New Jersey, to bring about much needed changes to a law that stood to damage the entire industry and leave consumers without the products they want.”

Sosa was recognized for his trailblazing work in bringing financial tools to unbanked consumers around the world. In addition to implementing 38 programs in 12 countries, Sosa is committed to working with regulators in a variety of markets, most recently speaking at the G20 meetings in Los Cabos, Mexico. “As a leading advocate for underserved consumers, Sosa first championed prepaid in the United States and now is doing so in Latin America and beyond,” said DeBonis. 

“We are proud to recognize these two pioneers of prepaid for their amazing work to move the industry forward,” she said.  

Earlier in the day, Paybefore presented special Industry Service Awards to recongize colleagues for their outstanding service to the industry during the past year. Sponsored by The Bancorp Bank, the Industry Service Awards were given to nine companies that worked collaboratively on the broad issues that affect the entire industry. “The people in this business are passionate in their belief that prepaid products can and do contribute to making the world a better place—providing valuable payment and gifting solutions for consumers, businesses and government,”  said Bochicchio. “That passion applies not only to doing their best for their own companies and competing fiercely in the marketplace, but—when the situation arises—collaborating with equal passion on issues that have the potential to affect the industry as a whole.”                        

Companies recgonized included:

• Alston & Bird LLP
• American Express
• Blackhawk Network
• Douthit Rouse Frets Gentile & Rhodes LLC/Card Compliant
• First Annapolis
• InComm
• New Jersey Food Council
• New Jersey Retail Merchants Association
• Retail Gift Card Association
    

Paybefore Awards Europe Winners Announced 

Paybefore also announced winners in its 2^nd annual Paybefore Awards Europe on March 4. Below is a list of distinguished winners, who were selected by a five-judge panel, including Andrew Johnson, director general, UKGCVA; Siobhan Moore, senior associate, Locke Lord and UKGCVA board member; Dr. Hugo Godschalk, PaySys Consultancy GmbH, managing director/partner; Prepaid Forum Deutschland, founder, as well as Paybefore’s Bochicchio and DeBonis.

Join us at Prepaid Expo Europe where we will announce the Best in Category winners. (Register with Paybefore’s discount code XU2740PAYB4 to save 10%).

2013 Paybefore Awards Europe Winners