Grammy Award-Winning Artist, Actor And Author Common Joins Western Union To Kick Off Thanks A Thousand

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leader in global payments, has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning artist, actor and author Common to launch today in New York City Western Union ^® Thanks A Thousand, an online campaign to help consumers in the United States, Canada and Mexico share their stories of gratitude and love for family, loved ones and friends to say thank you, with a chance to win the equivalent of USD$1,000 every day through June 17.

The Western Union Thanks A Thousand campaign invites consumers to upload a personalized video, photograph, or brief essay to thank their mothers, families, loved ones and friends for being special in their lives. Eligible participants should visit www.thanksathousand.com (in English), www.westernunionmilgracias.com (in Spanish) or www.mercimillefois.ca (in Canadian French) to share their stories of appreciation. Consumers can submit entries via the smartphone accessible websites daily through June 17, 2012. Western Union will randomly select one winner per day starting April 17.

“I remember a time when I sent my grandmother money through Western Union so that she could take a trip to attend our family reunion,” Common said. “She had a beautiful and vibrant time and my heart was truly warmed because of it. Western Union is a resourceful vehicle and tool that has the ability to keep families and communities connected in times of need; in times of joy and in times of fellowship.”

Victoria López-Negrete, senior vice president and general manager, North America, Western Union, added, “Western Union is collaborating with Common because he recognizes the contributions his family has made in his life to help him succeed. Western Union continues to focus on Moving Money for Better around the world, and our Thanks A Thousand campaign allows consumers to share their appreciation for family, loved ones and friends no matter how far away they are or where they live.”

The Western Union Thanks A Thousand campaign elements include, among others:

• Kick-off event in New York City with Common on April 17.
• Announcements of the daily winners on the contest websites to award more than 60 recipients USD$1,000 during the campaign.
• Multi-layered advertising approach encompassing print, broadcast, radio, out-of-home, mobile and online channels.

How to Enter:

Eligible participants should visit  www.thanksathousand.com (in English), www.westernunionmilgracias.com (in Spanish) or www.mercimillefois.ca (in Canadian French) and upload their entry of a personalized video, photograph, or brief essay to share their thanks for a loved one, family member, friend or anyone in their life. Western Union will announce daily winners who will receive US$1,000 (or local currency equivalent as of March 6, 2012) to bring their appreciation to life. The Western Union ^® Thanks A Thousand campaign starts at 12 p.m. Eastern Time on April 16, 2012 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on June 17, 2012.

Go to www.thanksathousand.com, www.westernunionmilgracias.com or www.mercimillefois.ca for official rules, details on entry instructions and program information. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

For more information on Western Union services, visit  www.westernunion.com.

About Western Union

The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of December 31, 2011, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of approximately 485,000 Agent locations in 200 countries and territories. In 2011, The Western Union Company completed 226 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $81 billion of principal between consumers, and 425 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com.

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